By Rob Everingham
The Malta Mustangs came to Chinook Thursday night and Malta stayed unbeaten as it slipped by the Sugarbeeters 53-50.
Malta jumped out to a 16-10 lead at the end of the first quarter and kept the lead through out the game. At the half the Mustangs had added to their lead and were up 28-18.
Chinook started their come-back in the third quarter and outscored Malta 18-12, to cut the Mustangs lead down to 40-36. The Beeters did all they could in the fourth to get the lead, but outscored Malta by just a point in the final stanza which was not enough to get the win.
Renda Birkey led the way for Chinook with 16 points while Katie Hoffman had 15 in the loss for the Beeters.
The Beeters rebounded on Saturday night though as they ran through the Harlem Wildcats 71-37. Only the score was made available
Chinook head coach Bill Keller said Malta has a very talented team and he said his team just dug too deep a whole in the first half.
Keller said his team needed to execute its offense better and not allow as many offensive rebounds in the first half.
In the second half, Keller said, they fought their way back and rebounded better and started executing the offense. Also, the Beeters played much better defense in the second half of the game. But, Keller said, Malta is just too good a team to try and come back after being down 10 points at the half.
On Saturday night in Harlem, Keller said, his team came out with good intensity and put on the full-court press and created some easy points. He added that they executed their offense better and played great defense which allowed to some easy break-away points.
We were getting easy shots from both outside and inside, Keller said.
The Beeters play just one game this weekend as they take on 2B power Glasgow Thursday night.
Keller said the Scotties have a big player on the inside and some great outside shooting. He said they will need to stop Glasgows inside attack and cut down on their own turnovers and execute on offense much better this weekend.
