Kimman sparks Pierz to win over Big Lake

PIERZ -- Cyndi Kimman scored 20 points Thursday to lead the Pierz Pioneers to a 60-53 triumph over the Big Lake Hornets in Central Minnesota Conference play.

The Pioneers, who are ranked No. 9 in Class AA, improved to 3-0 in the conference and 10-1 overall.

Sheila Stegora was also in double figures with 14 points for Pierz, which shot 37 percent from the field and 59 percent from the free throw line in the victory.

"This was a real team win for us tonight and it was a close game all the way. Both teams played very hard and physical," Pierz head coach Rick Sczublewski said. "We won the game at the foul line going 13-for-19 in the fourth quarter."

Big Lake 19 8 15 11 -- 53

Pierz 20 6 12 22 -- 60

BIG LAKE (53)

Katie Greely 15, Teresa Smock 2, Teresa Stiefel 5, Sarah Saari 18, Tami Brings 8, Nicole Engstrom 5. Team totals: FG 22-50 (44 percent), FT 7-16 (44 percent). Conference -- 2-1 . Overall -- 6-3.

PIERZ (60)

Cyndi Kimman 20, Beth Stegora 9, Katie Bell 4, Amber Sitzman 8, Sheila Stegora 14, Missy Girtz 2, Shelly Boser 3. Team totals: FG 17-46 (37 percent), FT 23-39 (59 percent). Conference -- 3-0 . Overall -- 10-1. Next game: Pierz at Holdingford, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

3-point baskets -- B. Stegora 2, Sitzman, Saari 2. Rebounds -- P 33 (Kimman 11), BL 30. Turnovers -- P 25, BL 33. Total fouls -- P 14, BL 26. Fouled out -- Kimman, Engstrom, Smock. Assists -- P 13 (Kimman 4, Bell 4). Steals -- P 20 (B. Stegora 5, Sitzman 5). Blocks -- P 12 (Stegora 4, Kimman 3).

Pine River-Backus 50, Menahga 32

PINE RIVER -- The Pine River-Backus Tigers girls basketball team picked up their first Park Region Conference win defeating the Menahga Braves 50-32 Thursday night.

Tigers forward Sarah Laposky led all scores with 17 points.

"The girls played with great defensive intensity," said Tigers head coach Tom Lupella. "Our defense set the tone for the rest of the game."

Menahga 9 5 9 9 -- 32

Pine River-Backus 8 13 11 18 -- 50

Menahga (32)

Michelle Sagedahl 11, Sarah West 9, Darcy Mininga 6, Alisha Scooge 4, Nichole Roiko 3. Team totals: FG 13, FT 6-15 (40 percent).

Pine River-Backus (50)

Sarah Laposky 17, Alicia Finch 8, Alli Faricy 8, Whitney Rollins 6, Brooke Rollins 4, Britteny Nelson 4, Ann Marvin 2, Leah Wangberg 1. Team totals: FG 23, FT 4-8 (50 percent). Conference -- 1-0. Overall -- 5-2. Next game: Pine River-Backus at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Total fouls -- M 8, PR-B 18.

Pequot Lakes 54, McGregor 50

MCGREGOR -- The Pequot Lakes Patriots girls' basketball team handed the McGregor Mercuries a 54-50 loss in non-conference action Thursday.

"We moved the ball better around the basket," said Pequot Lakes head coach Bill Larson. "(After the first quarter) we had higher percentage shots and the full court pressure really kept us active."

Pequot senior Heather Neznik scored 25 of the Patriots' points.

McGregor 16 10 14 10 --50

Pequot Lakes 14 16 12 12 -- 54

MCGREGOR (50)

Cummings 2, Asehter 17, Anderson 23, Stamm 2, Smith 6. Team totals: FG 20, FT 4-9 (44 percent).

PEQUOT LAKES (54)

Joan Ebnet 8, Jeanna Baratto 10, Brianna Biebighauser 11, Heather Neznik 25. Team totals: FG 24-65 (37 percent), FT 4-9. Overall -- 8-0. Next game: Pequot Lakes at Bertha-Hewitt, 7 p.m. Friday.

3-point baskets -- M-4 (Asehter 3, Anderson 1), PL-2 (Ebnet, Biebighauser). Rebounds -- PL-19 (Neznik 6, McDonald 4). Turnovers -- PL-6. Total fouls -- M-11, PL-14. Fouled out -- none. Assists -- PL-11 (Biebighauser 5, Ebnet 4). Steals -- PL-11. Blocks -- PL-5 (Neznik 3).

Bertha-Hewitt 69, Verndale 28

VERNDALE -- The Verndale Pirates were overcome by the Bertha-Hewitt Bears girls' basketball team 69-28 Thursday.

Marie Kern scored 12 points for the Pirates.

B-H 20 18 23 8 -- 69

Verndale 7 7 6 8 -- 28

B-H (69)

Andrea Ward 5, Amy Nelson 22, Cassy Spear 4, Jessica Hagen 9, Jill Dolzell 4, Crystal Tindal 11, Susie Fosness 4, Kim Brasel 8, Jenny Samuelson 2. Team totals: FG 30-63 (47 percent), FT 9-14 (64 percent). Conference -- 1-0.

VERNDALE (28)

Marie Kern 12, Kayla White 2, Jenny Wilson 2, Mandy Fink 3, Kelly Schmitz 2, Steph Tomte 2, Beth Kneisl 5. Team totals: FG 11-44 (25 percent), FT 6-9 (67 percent). Conference -- 0-1. Overall -- 2-5. Next game: Verndale at Sebeka, 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Rebounds -- B-H 38, V 33. Turnovers -- B-H 13, V 30. Total fouls -- B-H 9, V 12. Fouled out -- none. Assists -- B-H 8, V 4. Steals -- B-H 15, V 6. Blocks -- B-H 5, V 3.

New York Mills 63, Pillager 38

PILLAGER --The New York Mills Eagles raced out to a 20-2 lead after one quarter of play and went on to post a 63-38 victory over the Pillager Huskies in a Park Region Conference game Thursday.

Marta Jackowiak scored 17 points and snared 10 rebounds in the contest and Kayla Bell contributed 12 points and three steals for the Huskies who shot only 13-for-49 (27 percent) from the field in the loss.

"We lost our point guard (Beth Johnson) this morning due to illness and Nacole Carlson is out with a dislocated shoulder," said Pillager head coach Holly Cervin. "Marta Jackowiak and Kayla Bell both played outstanding games in their absence."

New York Mills 20 17 14 12 63

Pillager 2 16 12 8 -- 38

NEW YORK MILLS (63)

Beth Wallgren 19, Beth Simpson 2, Sarah Simpson 4, Lacey Kahilainen 6, Beth Frost 7, Laura Peeters 4, Jaci Malone 1, Traci Mattson 2, Molly Roggenkamp 12, Erin Aker 6. Team totals: FG 27-55 (49 percent), FT 6-13 (46 percent). Conference -- 1-0. Overall -- 4-5.

PILLAGER (38)

Kayla Bell 12, Marta Jackowiak 17, Samantha Sullivan 0, Heather McCulley 3, Melanie Gaalswyk 2, Jessie VanVickle 0, Elizabeth Plotz 4. Team totals: FG 13-49 (27 percent), FT 12-24 (50 percent). Conference -- 0-2 . Overall -- 0-9. Next game: at St. Johns Prep, 6:30 p.m. Monday.

3-point baskets -- none. Rebounds -- P 32 (Jackowiak 10, Plotz 7), NYM 36. Turnovers -- P 34, NYM 23. Total fouls -- P 16, NYM 23. Fouled out -- McCulley. Assists -- P 6 (Gaalswyk 4). Steals -- P 8 (Bell 3).