Two big wins, one loss, for Card girls

Leaning toward the basket Cardinal Nikki Pearson (0) leans into a Pequot Lakes opponent as she heads for the basket with teammate Ashley Lisson standing by to assist. Pearson scored 18 and Lisson 13 points in the 53-51 Cardinal win. (Staples World photo Kelley Kossan) The Staples Motley Cardinal girls had two wins and a narrow loss in three games played this past week, but one of the wins was a BIG one.

The Cardinal girls handed Pequot Lakes their first Mid State Confer- ence loss Friday night, getting a 53-51 win over the Patriot girls on the Cardinal home court. Nikki Pearson and Caitlin Robinson each had 18 points to lead the Cardinals to their victory over the Pequot Lakes Patriots. The win gives the Cards a 5-2 conference record, compared to Pequot’s 6-1.

“It was a good win and keeps us in the hunt for the conference title,” Coach Arden Beachy said. He added he was happy to see the Cardinal girls recover from a two-point loss the night before.

Ashley Lisson added 13 points for the Cardinals.

“We controlled the momentum of the game and had several chances to put it out of reach. Our bench played well.” Beachy also noted it was the third game in four nights for the 12-4 Cardinal team.

Those three games started with a 55-50 win at Perham on Tuesday night. Ashley Lisson’s 16 points led the Cards in that nonconference game.

Nikki Pearson added 12 points while Caitlin Robinson and Abby Smith each added 10 for the Cards. “We played really good half court defense, “ Beachy said. “Perham had the best inside game we have faced this year. Our team adjusted well and found a way to win.”

At Barrett on Thursday night, the Cards were tagged for their fourth loss of the year, 49-47.

Nikki Pearson led all scorers with 18 points and was involved in some last second heroics, but West Central held on to edge the Cardinals.

Pearson hit a three to produce the final score. After a time out, the Cards stole the in-bound pass, but an off-balance shot at the buzzer missed.

Scoring Ashley Lisson goes up to score versus Pequot Lakes. (Staples World photo Kelley Kossan) “ We did not shoot well, especially inside,” Beachy said. He also said the girls created many turnovers, but failed to capitalize on them. “It was possibly a let down after our big win on Tuesday against Perham,” Beachy said.

This week is a little lighter schedule for Beachy’s girls team. They host Osakis Friday night, then travel to Little Falls Saturday evening to make up the contest with the Flyers.

Girls Results

Jan. 26

Staples Motley 55, Perham 50

Perham 18 32 - 50

Staples Motley 20 35 - 55

Perham (50): Kaylan Huber 5, Steph Miller 7, Kelli Meehl 2, Jessica Speicher 6, Katrina Moenkedick 19, Elisa Monekedick 11. FT 6-14 (43 percent), Three-point baskets: 2 (Miller, Huber). Perham overall: 11-3.

Staples Motley (55): Nikki Pearson 12, Kelly Pearson 2, Caitlin Robinson 10, Ashley Lisson 16, Abby Smith 10, Kelsey Rice 3. FT 15-18 (83 percent).

Jan. 28

West Central 49, Staples Motley 47

West Central 23 26 - 49

Staples Motley 18 29 - 47

West Central (49): April Nelson 8, Liza Torgerson 17, Jennifer Froemming 4, Alyssa Blair 6, Caitlin Peterson 6, Tanika Nguyen 8. FT 16-24 (68 percent) Three-point baskets: 3 (Peterson, Nelson 2). 16-24 FT

Staples Motley (47): Nikki Pearson 18, Kelly Pearson 7, Caitlin Robinson 7, Jennifer Vasquez 9, Ashley Lisson 4, Mikayla Wing 2. FT 10-15 (68 percent), Threepoint baskets: 5 (Robinson, K. Pearson, N. Pearson 3).

Jan 29 Staples Motley 30 23 - 53

Pequot Lakes 22 29 - 51

Staples Motley (53): Nikki Pearson 18, Caitlin Robinson 18, Ashley Lisson 13, Abby Smith 2, Jaelin Beachy 2. FG 16-41 (39 percent), FT 15-21 (71 percent), Three-point baskets: 6 (Robinson 4, Pearson 2). Conference: 5-2. Overall: 12-4.

Pequot Lakes (51): Kylie Beltz 4, Katelyn Schmidt 3, Mattie Lueck 20, Kendra Johnson 4, Kirsten Noska 4, Emily Lueck 16. FT 13-19 (68 percent), Threepoint baskets: 4 (E. Lueck 2, Noska, M. Lueck).