Rustler girls hang on

BILLINGS - The C.M. Russell girls’ basketball team bounced back from a loss on Friday night to Billings West, taking down Billings Skyview 59-53 Saturday evening.

Sophomore Addison Gardner scored a game-high 23 points for the Rustlers, with 19 coming in the second half, hitting four 3-pointers.

Akasia Denton followed with eight points while Mady Skawinski, Kyra Willis and Courtney Schroeder chipped in six apiece.

The Falcons made things interesting in the final frame, eventually taking a one-point lead, but a Gardner 3-point play brought life back into the Rustlers, who hung on for the victory.

“We had a couple of bad possessions down the stretch and all of a sudden they’re up one,” said CMR head coach Brian Crosby, “but our kids maintained their composure, which was great. It was nice to win a close game.”

The Rustlers rose to 3-4 in the conference and 6-9 overall with the win and move to face Great Falls High on Tuesday.

C.M. Russell 59, Billings Skyview 53

CMR 8 15 21 15 – 59

Skyview 12 8 15 18 -- 53

CMR – Akasia Denton 8, Mady Skawinski 6, Courteney Shovlin 5, Addison Gardner 23, Kyra Willis 6, Courtney Schroeder 6, Cailey Froehle 5. Totals 15 21-28 59.

Skyview – Mackenzie Ketchum 5, Hannah Stubson 5, Payton Schulz 1, Sophie Stott 5, Ashley Pomroy 10, Briana Guse 10, Molly Little 9, Jacey Reiter 8. Totals 16 18-29 53.

3-point goals – Denton 1, Skawinski 1, Gardner 4, Willis 1, Froehle 1, Ketchum 1, Stubson 1, Stott 1. Total fouls – CMR 23, Skyview 23. Fouled out – Reiter. Technical – none.