HARDIN 60, COLUMBIA FALLS 34
GREAT FALLS — In a rematch of the 2017 Class A championship game, the roles were reversed. Hardin blitzed Columbia Falls from the opening tip rolling into the State A semis with a 60-34 win over the defending champion WildKats.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 22-11 lead after one quarter, and led 34-21 at halftime. Hardin shot 51.9-percent from the field in the first two periods to build a commanding lead.
In the second half, Hardin went on a 16-2 run that spanned the third and fourth quarter and Columbia Falls never threatened.
Aiyanna Ereaux led the Bulldogs in scoring with 14 points to go along with 6 rebounds and two assists. Karissa Dushane scored 13 points and added three assists and three steals. Bergan Realbird reached double figures on the boards with 10 rebounds.
Columbia Falls shot just 30-percent from the field with no WildKat player reaching double figures. Hannah Schweikert led the way with seven points and seven rebounds.
Hardin, the No. 2-seed out of the East will move on to face either Butte Central or Glendive in the semifinals, Friday at 8 p.m.
BUTTE CENTRAL 43, GLENDIVE 28
The Butte Central girls used a dominant second half to run away from Glendive 43-28 in the first round of the State A tournament in Great Falls.
The Maroons and Red Devils played to a 16-all tie at halftime, but Central used an 11-0 run in the third quarter to build a 32-23 lead entering the fourth.
Khloie Thatcher led Central with 15 points and six assists. Megan Michelotti posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Maroons, and Olivia Bolton had a great game on defense with five steals. Butte Central out-rebounded Glendive 33-17 for the game.
Karsen Murphy led the Red Devils in scoring with eight points while Savannah Toms, Bailey Pearcy and Thea Robson each scored six points for Glendive.
Butte Central advances to the State A semifinals against Hardin at 8 p.m., while Glendive moves to loser-out action against Columbia Falls.
