LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON — Western Michigan Christian’s girls basketball team led by only six at halftime, but had a big third quarter to extend out its lead and pulled away for a 55-40 victory over Montague at home Thursday night in non-conference action.

The Wildcats stayed close to the Warriors in the first half. WMC enjoyed just an 11-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, and stretched that out to six, 25-19 at the half with a 14-11 second period.

Montague did a good job in the first half keeping the ball out of Kyla’s (Wiersema) and Maddie’s (Wiersema) hands,” Warriors coach Jeremy Goorman said.
“We battled in the second (quarter) keeping the Wildcats under 20 points. The beginning of the third quarter we set our minds on shutting Montague down.”

At one point in the fourth quarter WMC’s lead reached 25 points. Unfortunately, the Warriors’ leader Haley Brueker suffered a dislocated shoulder. Her injury put a damper on the game for WMC.

Ashley Folkema played so hard on the defensive side of the ball,” Goorman added. “She also did a fantastic job at running the point, and setting up the offense. Maddie is still having problems with foul trouble.”

The Warriors broke the game open with a 20-7 third quarter and took a 45-26 into the fourth quarter. Montague outscored the Warriors, 14-10 in the final period.

WMC is a well balanced team,” Montague coach Nicholas Thaler said. “I thought we played a really nice first half. Our decision making just was not where it needed to be. We just made too many mistakes, and against good teams you can’t do that because they will capitalize on those errors.

We knew coming in what type of game this was going to be. They have only lost to Hart and Newaygo. We came out flat in the third quarter, and got behind the clock, and we could not get the ball in the basket. Credit to WMC. It is difficult to simulate in practice the things they do.”

Kyla Wiersema pumped in 26 points to lead the Warriors. She also hauled down 12 rebounds, had six steals and four blocks. Maddie Wiersema added 11 points and six rebounds. Libby Mast scored seven points and had six rebounds. Ashley Folkema had six points and six rebounds.

Pacing the Wildcats was Kendall Osborne with 12 points, three assists, two steals and two rebounds. Ana Trevino scored four points, had one assist and three rebounds. Lauren Smith added four points and one rebound and Maddie Meachum had four points and three rebounds.

WMC improved to 6-2 overall. The Warriors next action is scheduled for Friday at home against Muskegon Catholic Central.

Montague dropped to 7-3 overall. The Wildcats are next scheduled to play Oakridge at home on Tuesday, Jan. 25.