BILLINGS – Round 2 goes to the Bulldogs.
After Billings Central swept Hardin in the teams’ first regular-season meeting in January, Hardin returned the favor Saturday with two wins inside Rimrock Auto Arena.
Hardin’s boys outscored Central 23-15 in the fourth quarter for a 75-67 win. The teams were tied 52-52 after three quarters. Hardin jumped out to an 11-point first-quarter lead, but Central erased the deficit by the second quarter. The teams traded punches until the final minutes.
With the win, Hardin takes over first in the Eastern A at 9-1, 15-1 overall. Central is now 12-2, 5-1 in conference.
Hardin’s girls, meanwhile, overcame a 17-13 halftime deficit to earn a 44-41 win, thanks to a 20-9 third quarter. Marie Five led the Bulldogs with 17 points, while Isabelle Erickson poured in 15 for Central.
The win moves Hardin to 14-2 overall, 8-2 in the Eastern A. Central falls to 11-3, 4-2.
