BUTTE — The Western A girls basketball divisional tournament tipped off Thursday with four first-round games at the Maroon Activities Center.
Browning 50, Dillon 31
Browning went up 20-13 at the end of the first half and completely dominated the second half, pulling away for a 50-31 win over Dillon.
Abby Bull Calf led the Indians with a team-high 12 points. Walker Running Crane finished with 10.
The Beavers' Ainsley Shipman finished with a team-high 12 points.
Columbia Falls 54, Frenchtown 40
This game was tied 11-11 after the first quarter, but it was all Wildkats after that, as Columbia Falls defeated the Broncs 54-40 to remain undefeated.
Wildkats senior Hannah Schweikert had a game-high 18 points. Junior Maddie Robision finished with 16 points.
Freshman Sadie Smith led Frenchtown with 13 points.
Columbia Falls takes on Browning Friday at 4 p.m.
Hamilton 45, Whitefish 38
The Broncs took control in the first quarter, going up 12-8 and never gave back the lead on their way to a 45-38 win win over Whitefish.
At one point in the third quarter, the Bulldogs made it a four-point game, but Hamilton wouldn't let them get any closer.
Broncs sophomore Layne Kearns and junior Rylee Brackmann each scored a team-high 11 points.
Bulldogs senior Brook Smith had a game-high 18 points.
Hamilton plays its semifinal game Friday at 7 p.m.
Ronan 61, Butte Central 43
Butte Central came into the game looking to avoid the upset after a terrific regular season, but instead they ran into a buzz saw. Ronan routed the Maroons 61-43 in the final first-round game of the day.
The Maidens jumped out to a 9-1 lead a few minutes into the first quarter and found themselves with a 32-24 lead going into the half. They cruised from there on their way to the 61-43 win.
Ronan senior Jaylea Lunceford had a game-high 17 points and eight rebounds.
Maroons sophomore Brooke Badovinac finished with a team-high 12 points.
Ronan faces off against Hamilton Friday night at 7 p.m.
