BILLINGS — Twin Bridges and defending State C champion Roy-Winifred won State C quarterfinal matchups on Wednesday afternoon inside First Interstate Arena at MetraPark in Billings to set up a semifinal showdown on Thursday night. Manhattan Christian also advanced thanks to a game-winning shot in the closing seconds and will meet Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale.
Twin Bridges 55, Ekalaka 24
The Twin Bridges Falcons put together a dominant performance in the opening round of the State C girls basketball tournament inside First Interstate Arena at MetraPark in Billings, defeating Ekalaka 55-24.
Twin Bridges, the Western C champions, built a 14-point halftime lead and led by 20 entering the final eight minutes.
Allie Dale had a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead the Falcons into the semifinals. Ekalaka got 11 points from freshman Nasya O'Connor.
Twin Bridges will play in Thursday's semifinal round at 6:30 p.m.
Roy-Winifred 48, Plentywood 27
Defending champion Roy-Winifred looked every bit the part of a team capable of a repeat on Wednesday afternoon.
The Outlaws handled Plentywood 48-27, giving the Wildcats just their second loss of the season. Roy-Winifred out-scored Plentywood 23-9 in the second half.
Laynee Elness led all scorers with 24 points, shooting 9 of 14 from the field and 4 of 8 beyond the arc. Emma Brensdal led Plentywood with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Plentywood will face Ekalaka in loser-out action at 9 a.m., while Roy-Winifred and Twin Bridges play at 6:30 p.m. in Thursday's semifinals.
Manhattan Christian 58, Roberts 56
Bella Triemstra's jumper with 3.9 seconds to go gave Manhattan Christian a dramatic 58-56 win over Roberts in the opening round of the State C tournament on Wednesday.
Tied at 56 with just over 10 seconds to play, Taylee Chirrick missed the front end of a one-and-one for the Rockets. The Eagles got the rebound and found Triemstra for the game winner. Chirrick's desperation heave at the buzzer was wayward, sending Manhattan Christian into Thursday's semifinals.
The two sides went back and forth throughout the game with 12 lead changes. Roberts held a seven-point lead in the opening quarter, but the game was played within a five-point window after that.
Miranda Wyatt scored seven points and pulled down 16 rebounds for the Eagles, while Grace Aamot had 15 points, Ava Bellach scored 14 and Triemstra 12. Chirrick had a 27-point, 18-rebound double-double for Roberts.
Roberts falls to loser-out action at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, while Manhattan Christian is in the 8 p.m. semifinal.
Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale 65, Chinook 25
Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale opened up an 18-point lead over Chinook en route to a 65-25 win in the opening round of the State C tournament inside First Interstate Arena in Billings.
Paige Wasson had a masterful first half for the Mavericks, scoring 19 of her 23 points and shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the field. Wasson finished 10-of-11 from the field.
Teagan Erickson added 15 points and eight rebounds for Saco-Whitewater-Hinsdale, while Hallie Neibauer led Chinook with 15. Chinook failed to score in the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks are into the semifinals and will face Manhattan Christian tomorrow evening at 8 p.m. Chinook will face Roberts in loser-out action at 10:30 a.m.
