Indees rout Trojans, hold on against Lancers

The Independence/Gilmanton girls basketball team got off to fast starts in both of its games last week. One game turned into a lopsided win, but the other went to the final buzzer.

The Indees went on a 15-0 run and never looked back in a 54-36 win over New Auburn last week Monday. On Thursday, the team had an 11-point lead at halftime and still led by double figures midway through the second half, but Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran went on a run and tied the game with less than a minute remaining. The Indees scored with 30 seconds left and held on for a 47-45 win.

I/G began this week with a record of 4-3 (2-1 in Dairyland Conference play) prior to Tuesday’s game at Alma Center Lincoln. The Indees play in Arcadia on Thursday and will head to Blair-Taylor next week Thursday. 

I/G 54 New Auburn 36

A 15-0 run in the first half put the Indees in control.

I/G trailed after the first few possessions, but the team put up 15 straight points. The run began with a three pointer by Arabelle Kniseley and Adison Pronschinske followed with a jump shot. 

After a few empty possessions, Makiyah Scow scored on a put-back then Nora Schank on a drive to the basket, making the score 12-4. Shauna Dejno scored to put the Indees ahead by 10 then Kniseley got a layup off of a steal. Avery Halama capped the run with a jump shot that made the score 18-4.

I/G maintained control throughout the rest of the game. The team took a 26-11 lead into halftime and didn’t let the Trojans get close in the second half. 

The Indees shot about 43 percent from the field, including seven three pointers — five by Kniseley. The team’s lopsided win came despite managing just three attempts from the free-throw line.

Kniseley led the team with 21 points and tied for a team-high six rebounds. Kassidi Dejno added 13 for I/G

I/G (field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-fouls-points) — Halama 3/4-0/0-1-1-8 Kniseley 8/13-0/0-6-2-21 Pronschinske 2/5-0/0-3-1-4 Schank 2/6-0/0-1-2-4 Mojica 0/1-0/0-0-0-0 S. Dejno 1/2-0/0-3-1-2 Kampa 0/2-0/0-1-0-0 K. Dejno 6/11-1/1-5-0-13 Scow 1/7-0/2-6-1-2 Sylla 0/3-0/0-0-0-0

I/G 49 ECI 47

A late put-back gave the Indees the win after the Lancers surged late in the game.

ECI made two free throws to tie the game at 47 with 54 seconds remaining. I/G coach John Zilla called a time out and set up a play that got Kniseley fouled, sending her to the free-throw line.

The sophomore missed both attempts from the charity stripe, however, I/G’s Kassidy Dejno rebounded the second miss and scored with about 30 seconds left in the game. The Lancers had chances to tie the game, but a miss at the buzzer gave the Indees the win.

I/G had a double-digit lead in the first half and took a 25-14 advantage into the intermission.

After the Lancers made the score closer early in the second half, the Indees seemed to regain control for good, taking a 33-23 lead. ECI responded with a 9-2 run to pull within three points. I/G had a four-point lead with three minutes remaining, but the Lancers erased that, tying the game late.

Kniseley led the Indees with 17 points, while Schank scored 10. 

I/G field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-points) — Pronschinske 0/5-6/6-2-6 Schank 5/7-0/0-3-10 S. Dejno 2/5-0/2-4-4 K. Dejno 1/6-4/6-9-6 Kniseley 6/14-2/5-3-17 Scow 2/7-0/0-5-4 Sylla 0/0-0/2-2-0 Halama 0/0-0/0-1-0