MISSOULA -- On Friday night the Kalispell Glacier Wolfpack took on the Missoula Hellgate Knights in the Western AA girls basketball divisional consolation final to determine third place. After a close opening minutes to the game, Hellgate built a double-digit lead and never looked back en route to a 50-42 win and a third-place finish at the tournament.
From the tipoff it looked to be a close contest as both teams came out hitting shots early leading to a 7-7 tie game. However, after that Hellgate began to get stops while its offense continued to make shots on the other end.
At the end of the half, Hellgate led 26-17 behind eight first-half points from Baylee Saylor. Saylor finished the half shooting 3 for 6 from the field and 1 for 3 from beyond the arc.
Kenzie Williams led the charge for the Wolfpack in the first half, scoring a team-high eight points on 3 for 5 from the field and 2 for 4 from 3.
In the second half, Glacier continued to chip away at the double-digit Hellgate lead but could never get within striking distance.
In the half, Saylor added another eight points to bring her game total to 16. Addie Heaphy added eight points of her own.
As a team, Hellgate shot 16 for 40 from the field and 7 for 19 from beyond the arc.
Aubrie Rademacher led the charge for the Wolfpack as she finished with a team-high 12 points. As a team, Glacier shot 16 for 49 from the field and 3 for 20 from beyond the arc.
By making the consolation final both teams earned a spot at the state tournament. Hellgate will be the Western AA's No. 3 seed, and Glacier will be the fourth.
