BILLINGS - Billings West opened the scoring Tuesday night at home with a Laiten Lantis 3-pointer then applied relentless defense in a 64-38 crosstown win over Billings Skyview.
The young Falcons, without a senior on their roster, took a brief lead when they answered the opening basket with a 5-0 run, but West closed the half on a 23-7 run to lead 26-12 at the break.
Offensively, the Bears took advantage of inside presence throughout the first half. Quick passing into the post both on the break and in half court sets led to several easy baskets. Kendall Ellis led West with 12 points. Willa Albrecht was right behind her with 11.
Skyview (1-4) picked up its scoring but still trailed 43-28 after three quarters. Brooke Berry led both teams in scoring with 18 points. West turned its second-half offense into a run-n-gun show to increase its lead and earn its highest point total of the season.
The Falcons play at Bozeman on Saturday. West (3-3) doesn't return to action until a week from Friday at Billings Senior.
Skyview's boys will host West on Friday night.
