Odessa girls fade at the end

WELLPINIT — After losing to the Redskins by six points earlier in the season, the Odessa girls basketball team sought revenge in their NE1B re-match Saturday, Jan. 20. For three quarters, the Tigers gave Wellpinit all that they could handle but eventually lost 56-45.

Early in the game it appeared Wellpinit might run away with an easy victory. Kipi Denison opened the game by making two-3 point shots.

Her eight points in the quarter put Odessa in a 10-5 hole heading into the second quarter. Melloney Diefe scored all five of the Tigers’ first quarter points.

Odessa’s steady senior Hayden Schuh came on strong in the second frame, scoring 10 points. With the Redskins leading 22-19, Odessa’s Ashley Zagelow hit a buzzer-beater from the top of the key to tie the game at 22-22 at the half.

The Tigers outscored Wellpinit 17-12 in the second quarter.

In the second half, Wellpinit outraced the Tigers to loose balls and frustrated them with its full-court press. Odessa committed several turnovers and missed close-range shots.

The Redskins outscored Odessa 34-23 in the half to secure the 56-45 victory.

Schuh ended the game with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Deife scored 16 points followed by Zagelow and Leah Beth Claassen who scored three and two points, respectively.

“We were evenly matched for most of the game,” Odessa head coach Travis Schuh said. “We made some crucial turnovers in the fourth quarter and couldn’t make some of our shots. After Kipi Denison hit several 3-point shots, we just didn’t have enough time to catch up.”

The loss dropped the Tigers to 7-6 on the season. Their next game will be at Mary Walker (Springdale) Friday, Jan. 26.