Bravettes earn first Western AA win vs. Big Sky

The Flathead Bravettes’ first conference win was notable for, among other things, the long stretches each team went without scoring.

For Missoula Big Sky, a cold spell in the third quarter spelled doom: The Eagles waited until 30 seconds remained before Hallie Lindquist tallied.

By then Flathead led 28-14, which meant the Bravettes’ ensuing fourth-quarter drought – they went the first 7 minutes without scoring – didn’t matter.

“Kind of went stagnant there for a while,” Flathead coach Tricia Dean said after her team’s 33-19 win. “We’ll take it. I think it was not the prettiest win; there was some sloppy play. But we’re going to take it and move and keep working to get better.”

Flathead improved to 2-3, including a 1-1 mark in the Western AA. Maddy Moy had the biggest impact, coming off the bench to push the tempo and score three times in that 11-0 third-quarter run.

“Absolutely,” Dean said. “She was a huge spark at the basket, and we needed that spark today.”

Moy had a game-high 12 points.

Big Sky, which fell to 0-7 and 0-3, had a pair of players scored five points. The Eagles ruled the boards on a night when rebounds were plenty: The teams combined to shoot 17 for 76 from the floor.

Coaching the Eagles was Jace Sullivan, in place of pregnant head coach Jordan Hansen. She is not allowed to travel while she awaits the arrival of twins.

The Braves were also just 8 for 25 on free throws. They went 5-for-17 after halftime, which matched Big Sky’s points over the last two quarters.

Bridget Crowley snared seven rebounds for the winners.

Big Sky 4 10 2 3 ­— 19

Flathead 9 8 11 5 — 33

MISSOULA BIG SKY (0-7, 0-3) – Erin Murphy 0-1 1-4 1, Abbie Feilzer 1-2 2-6 4, Alexis Knight 2-6 0-1 5, Sabryn Knight 1-5 0-1 2, Corbyn Sandau 0-6 5-6 5, Kwincy Hensen 0-0 0-2 0, Michena George 0-5 0-0 0, Hallie Lindquist 1-2 0-0 2, Sunna Hill 0-0 0-1 0. Totals 5-29 8-19 19. 3-point goals 1-7 (A. Knight 1-2). Rebounds 40 (Sandell 9, Feilzer 9). Fouls – 21. Turnovers 17.

FLATHEAD (2-3, 1-1) – Clare Converse 2-8 2-4 6, Jenna Johnson 1-9 3-5 5, Akilah Kubi 1-6 1-4 3, Kennedy Kanter 0-2 0-2 0, Emily Lembke 1-3 0-4 2, Kuyra Siegel 1-4 0-0 3, Maddy Moy 6-11 0-0 12, Bridget Crowley 0-2 2-6 2, Molly Winters 0-1 0-0 0, Ivy Gannon 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 12-47 8-25 33. 3-point goals 1-13 (Siegel 1-2). Rebounds 33 (Crowley 7). Fouls 21. Turnovers 11.