West halts Bison girls’ win streak

BILLINGS – Cody Rodgers and Haylea Elkin each tallied 14 points to offset Emma Madsen’s 27-point performance in leading Billings West to a 51-50 victory over Great Falls High Saturday night in Eastern AA action at the West Gym.

After West took the lead in the final seconds with two free throws, a Madsen runner at the buzzer bounced off the back of the rim.

“I was real proud of our kids,” GFH head coach Jerry Schmitz said. “I was proud of how we battled.”

It is the first conference loss for the Bison girls, ending their 10-game winning streak.

West (6-1, 12-2) held the Bison offense to just four players. Besides Madsen, Nora Klick hit 12 markers, Gabby Fought added 10 and Molly Schmitz had one.

“Emma and Nora played fantastic,” Schmitz said. “Gabby, too.”

Hannah Collins, GFH’s starting point guard, did not play after hurting her foot in Friday’s game against Billings Skyview.

“We need her as we go through the season,” said Schmitz, who applauded the play of LynDee Feisthamel and Sarah Dutro in Collins’ absense. “I didn’t really want to chance it getting any worse. We’ll see it how it is Monday. We need her for the long run.”

Great Falls High fell to 6-1 and 13-2. They will host C.M. Russell in the second crosstown game of the year Tuesday at 7:30 at Swarthout Fieldhouse.

Great Falls 16 10 10  14 — 50

West 18 8 8 17 — 51

Great Falls (13-2, 6-1): Gabby Fought 10, Nora Klick 12, Molly Schmitz 1, Emma Madsen 27.

West (12-2, 6-1): Cody Rogers 14, Ambreya Windy Boy 3, Brianna Shirley 5, Ashley Voegele 1, Taylor Kappel 2, Haylea Elkin 14, Kelly Thomas 4, Kennedy Hildebrand 8.