Lava Bears sneak by Cowgirls

Tuesday night was no exception as the Cowgirls fell behind 16-6 in the first quarter of an Intermountain Conference Hybrid game against the Bend Lava Bears (15-4).

After the slow start, the Cowgirls made a valiant comeback, but it came up just short, as the Lava Bears held on to win 50-46.

"Our first quarter was rough," said Crook County head coach Dave Johnson. "We came back and jumped into a zone. I thought that the girls played their guts out so we were right there again."

The Cowgirls (10-11) are no strangers to close games this season. The team has played in 14 games that have been decided by seven points or less, including 10 of their 11 losses.

"One of the things we keep talking to the girls about is keeping your heads up," Johnson said. "Bend is a good basketball team, but I think that we're a good basketball team too."

Bend head coach Todd Ervin agrees with Johnson.

"I loved how we started - especially on the road that's really important," he said. "Our depth was definitely a big factor because we were in foul trouble. But Crook County plays so tough, I'm so glad that we don't have to come here again this year."

After the slow start, the Cowgirls were able to gradually whittle into the Lava Bears lead. Crook County trailed by eight at the end of the first half, by six at the end of the third quarter, and was within two points with three seconds remaining in the game.

Bend post Ally McConnell led all scores with 15 points, while guard Kenzi Boehme added 12 points, and Mekayla Isaak finished with 10 points. The Cowgirls were led by Marissa Pope with 12 points, and Erin Crofcheck with 11.

Crook County is back in action tonight when they host the Redmond Panthers in a 7 p.m. game.

It is senior night for the Cowgirls and they are looking for a large crowd for their final regular season home game of the year.

Crook County fans will get to see the Cowgirls in action at home at least one more time. As champions of Special District I, they will host a home play-in game which is tentatively scheduled for Friday, Feb. 25 against the fifth-place team from the Far West League.

Tuesday, Feb. 8

at Crook County

Bend (50) - Ally McConnell 15, Boehme 12, Isaak 10, Froelich 5, Lundy 4, Rhine 4, Maloney 2, Crook 2, Jones, Lundy, Tolentino. Totals 19 9-16 50.

Crook County (46) - Marissa Pope 12, Crofcheck 11, Morgan 8, Severance 7, Buswell 5, Fulton 3, Walker. Totals 17 5-9 46.

Bend 16 14 10 10 - 50

Crook County 6 16 12 12 - 46

Three-point goals - Bend: Boehme 2, Froelich. Crook County: Crofcheck 3, Morgan 2, Buswell, Fulton.