BILLINGS – What looked like a runaway win in the first half for Billings Central’s girls basketball team turned out closer than expected down the stretch.
The Rams held off Glendive 48-37 Wednesday night, earning a ticket to Friday’s tournament semifinals.
Central appeared to be in complete control after a 20-0 run put the Rams up 23-9 in the second quarter. The Red Devils answered with an 11-1 run but still trailed 26-15 at intermission.
Glendive, playing its second game of the day after defeating Livingston, chipped away and cut the deficit to seven early in the fourth quarter. But Central iced it down the stretch.
Olivia Moten-Schell led everybody offensively with 21 points for Billings Central. Kendra Kaufman was Glendive’s leading scorer with 10.
Defensively, Central turned in 11 steals.
The Rams play a Friday 6:30 p.m. semifinal against Thursday’s noon winner between Hardin and Belgrade.
Glendive faces Sidney in a loser-out game Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Havre’s girls remained unbeaten on the year handling Miles City 65-45 in the night’s final game.
The Blue Ponies wasted no time offensively jumping out to a 21-12 lead after one quarter. They increased it to 37-20 at halftime after shooting 56 percent from the field.
Havre will rest until Friday’s 8 p.m. semifinal against the winner between Laurel and Lewistown, which play Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
Miles City draws Livingston Thursday night in an 8 p.m. loser-out game.
Wednesday Girls
Glendive 42, Livingston 34
Miles City 56, Sidney 22
Billings Central 48, Glendive 37
Havre 65, Miles City 45
