More

    Lander finishes the season 21-6

    It’s not the finish the Lander Lady Tigers wanted after winning their opening state tournament game Thursday over Newcastle. Friday they dropped a three-point decision to Douglas moving them into the third-place game Saturday morning at Casper College.

    Lander’s season came to an end 44-40 to the Buffalo Lady Bison, a game short of a trophy in a hard fought contest.

    Third-place games are the most difficult to play in a state tournament. Often teams lose focus after dropping from the hunt for a state title with a semi-final loss the night before, but this one was different, both teams played physical defense, battled on the boards, and worked their offenses for one final time.

    Advertisement

    Lander jumped to a 7-0 lead after a Demi Stauffenberg 3-pointer three minutes into the game, but Buffalo answered with a pair of close range jump shots by Tess Rule, and the Lady Bison took the lead on an 8-0 run to finish the first period.

    A Taline Tendore trey cut into a brief Buffalo lead, followed by a Ryan Bell back cut to the basket, and whirling drive down the lane by Whitney Hansen that tied the game at 15.

    Buffalo led 17-15 at the half.

    The two teams traded baskets down the stretch, with Stauffenberg hitting another 3-pointer to tie the contest a final time at 32.

    Advertisement

    Buffalo has a talented player in 5-9 Grace Peterson and she took over the game in the final period with follow shots, close range jumpers, and finished a perfect six-for-six from the line.

    Peterson was the difference in the final minutes and she led all scorers with 18 points.

    Tendore and Hansen paced Lander with 10 each.

    Advertisement

    The Lady Tigers lose three talented players to graduation in Bell, Hansen, and Stauffenberg but return a talented crew next season.

    Lander finished the year 21-6 overall.

    Lander  7 8 4 21 – 40

    Advertisement

    Buffalo  8 9 9 18 – 44

    Lander – Taline Tendore 2 (1) 3-6 10, Demi Stauffenberg 1 (2) 0-0 8, Ryan Bell 1 4-4 6, Whtiney Hansen 4 2-2 10, Megan Winfield 2 2-3 6. Totals 10 (3) 11-15 40

    Buffalo – Kendall Tietjen 2-2 2, Tess Rules 3 0-0 6, Lexi Rule 1 0-1 2, Gracie Finkle 1 3-6 5, Kamry Davis 1 0-0 2, Cassidy Bessler 4-8 4, Grace Peterson 6 6-6 18, Danica Boyce 2 1-2 5. Totals 14 16-25 44

    Advertisement

    Related Posts

    Have a news tip or an awesome photo to share?