BELGRADE — The future is bright for the Missoula Loyola girls basketball program.
The Breakers, who have just one senior on their roster, dominated Three Forks in the second half of the State B consolation final on their way to a 42-31 win to claim the third-place trophy Saturday at the Belgrade Special Events Center.
Sydney Koppang drilled a half-court 3-pointer to beat the first-quarter buzzer to give Loyola a 10-9 lead after the first eight minutes. The teams would remain close throughout the first half with the Breakers taking a 23-19 lead into the break.
The second half was a different story, though. Loyola shut down the Three Forks offense after the break, holding the Wolves to just four points in the first 12 minutes of the second half. The Breakers ballooned their lead to 41-23 at on point before coasting to the 42-31 final.
Freshman Lani Walker led the Breakers with 19 points, doing most of her damage at the free throw line, where she made 13 of 17 attempts. Sam Clevenger, a junior, added 12 points, and Koppang, another junior, had seven.
Kyle Olson had a game-high 22 points for Three Forks.
Stats: Missoula Loyola 42, Three Forks 31
Saturday morning loser-out games
