The Staples Motley Cardinal girls basketball team last week added two more wins to boost their record to 9-2 for the season.

SM downed Minnewaska 62--45 on Friday night after a 54-37 win Jan. 5 over Park Rapids.

Coach Arden Beachy noted the Cards got of f to a slow start against Park Rapids, but then finished strong. They led 25-21 at half but then outscored the Panther squad 29-16 in the final 128 minutes.

“We forced 38 turnovers to our 16,” he said, many of them coming with a pressing defense.

Nikki Pearson had 16 points, and Abby Smith 10 to lead the Cardinals past to their third Mid State Conference win against one loss.

“We have not shot as well from the field the last two games,” Beachy said, noting they had a 27 percent shooting. “We are getting the shots we want. I told the girls to be patient, they wills tart dropping.”

In the paint Mikayla Wing (10) got off this shot from under the basket during the Jan. 5 game with Park Rapids as Jasmine McGillvray (32) watches. (Staples World photo by Kelley Kossan) Friday night against Minnewaska Pearson scored 22 points and Caitlin Robinson added 11.

“We continued to take good care of the ball, “ Beachy said. “We shot much better and had balanced scoring. Everyone contributed to the win. It was nice to play well against a section opponent.” The girls shot just over 42 percent from the field in this game.

The girls had a week of practice prior to hosting crosby-Ironton this Friday night

Girls results Jan. 5 Minnewaska 21 24 - 45

Staples Motley 25 37 - 62

Minnewaska (45): Aundrea Johnson 1, Kaylee Jacobs 7, Allie Ostrander 11, Sarah Roering 7, Sarah Faehnrich 9, Natalie Holte 6, Jillian Hendrickson 4. FT 9-19 (47 percent),

Staples Motley (62): Nikki Pearson 22, Kelly Pearson 2, Caitlin Robinson 11, Kyla Anthony 2, Jennifer Vasquez 2, Ashley Lisson 8, Abby Smith 7, Jasmine McGillvray 2, Bobbie Jo Mathe 4, Mikayla Wing 2. FT 8-13 (62 percent), Three-point baskets: 6 (Pearson 4, Robinson, Smith).

Jan. 8

Staples Motley 54, Park Rapids 37

Park Rapids 21 16 - 37

Staples Motley 25 29 - 54

Park Rapids ( 37): Hannah Wolff 15, Hailey Lundin 2, Carson Lee Christensen 8, Lydia Lutz 4, Shelby Pierce 2, Ashley Domino 4, Olivia Vaadeland 2. 3-point baskets: (Wolff 3).

Staples Motley (54): Nikki Pearson 16, Kelly Pearson 5, Caitlin Robinson 9, Jennifer Vasquez 3, Ashley Lisson 3, Abby Smith 10, Jasmine McGillvray 2, Bobbie Jo Mathe 6. FG 20-64(31 percent), FT 9-19(47 percent), 3-point baskets: (N. Pearson 2, K. Pearson 1, Robinson 1, Lisson 1).