BILLINGS -- Defensive pressure escalated quickly in the second half Saturday leading unbeaten Billings West to a 59-32 girls basketball home court win over Billings Senior.
The Bears held Senior to just seven points in the second half -- two in the fourth quarter -- after the teams were deadlocked 25-25 at halftime.
"I didn't light into anybody at halftime," West coach Charlie Johnson told MTN Sports after the game. "I just kind of asked, what are we doing? Let's get back to playing our basketball."
Sparked by turnovers, that's exactly what the Bears did, building their lead to 40-30 after three quarters before outscoring Senior 19-2 in the final frame.
Freshman Taylee Chirrick led West in scoring with a career-high 20 points. She was the only player to hit double digits for West followed by fellow freshman Kourtney Grossman's nine points. Sophomore Layla Baumann chipped in with eight.
Allie Cummings led Senior's attack with 13 points. Kennedy Venner hit a barrage of 3-pointers to lead Senior's charge in the second quarter and finished with 11 points.
"We played a great first half, outstanding," Broncs head coach Connor Silliker told MTN Sports. "But that second half was a different story. That's a great team over there. They're scary when that second wave kicks in."
Senior (2-3) plays at Bozeman High next Friday. West (5-0) was fresh off Friday's 64-11 win over Belgrade and hosts Great Falls CMR Thursday before heading to Great Falls High Saturday.
