Ipswich dropped a 65-55 non-conference girls' high school basketball outcome to the Lower Brule Sioux last Thursday in the Tiger Den. (Lower Bule is a member of Region 2B, along with Ipswich and that evening's girls' action launched a girls/boys doubleheader that was ultimately swept by the Sioux.)

But Ipswich's girls would hang around within striking distance for much of the game, because the visitors' largest lead would by 13 points, 21-8 early in the second quarter. They had jumped out to a 14-6 lead after a quarter and would go up 28-19 at the half, despite a Halle Heinz trey that closed out second-quarter scoring. And Ipswich would then score the first seven points of the third quarter, thanks to back-to-back treys from Hailey Bierman and Heinz, plus another Hailey Bierman basket to climb back into contention. But the visitors weathered that storm and the Tigers would then end up trailing 42-34 at the third break, despite a Katie Bierman buzzer-beater.

Ipswich was able to close to within seven points, 60-53, late in the contest after a pair of Heinz free throws. But the game clock and the free throw line would both become Lower Brule's allies. The Sioux indeed put on a 19 of 25 free throw shooting clinic.

To go along with all those free throws they connected on 20 floor-shot tries that included six treys. Ipswich totaled 18 baskets that featured eight treys and went 11-15 in free throws themselves. Not a bad percentage either!

Heinz would finish with 21 points including five treys, so the Sioux defenders weren't totally concentrating on her like some of their recent opponents and were still able to win. Next was Katie Bierman with nine points, almost in double-figure territory and Chesney Olivier and Halie Feldman each totaled seven points. Feldman featured one trey. Bailey Pitz and Hailey Bierman were next with five points apiece and each included a trey. Lindsey Grabowska scored a free throw.

Ipswich totaled 40 rebounds, led by Hailey Bierman with nine. The Sioux obtained 33. Turnovers were fairly equal with the Sioux collecting 15 and Ipswich 14. Eleven of those were forced by Tiger steals, paced by Katie Bierman with five.

IPSWICH VS. ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN

The Ipswich Tiger girls eventually lost a 60-53 verdict to Aberdeen Christian during LRC league action in Aberdeen last Tuesday. But it was a hard-fought outcome, with the score tied six times and the lead changing hands eight times. The Knights' biggest lead of the night was the actual final score, capping a 18-12 final-quarter scoring advantage by the host team. (Ipswich's largest lead in the entire game had been five points.)

One of those ties, 11-11, was at the end of the opening quarter of action. The hosts then carved out a 15-10 second-quarter scoring advantage to go ahead 26-21 at intermission. But Ipswich would definitely hang around with its own 20-16 capture of the third-quarter.

The host employed Mallory Miller's game-high 23 points and she also grabbed 13 rebounds for a double-double in anybody's scorebook. Hanna Miller added 13 points to also climb the double-figure scoring plateau. Four more Knights would contribute to their scoring ledger that evening.

Ipswich, meanwhile, was led by a pair of double-figure scorers of its own. Katie Bierman totaled 16 points with two treys included. Next was Halie Feldman with 10 points that also included a pair of treys.

Halle Heinz and Bailey Pitz each chipped in with seven points and both of them included a trey. (Heinz also dished out a team high five assists.) Lindsey Grabowska scored five points, followed by Chesney Olivier with four points. And Hailey Bierman and Ashton Loken each rounded out their scoring column with a two-point basket.

Ipswich made 20 acccurate floor shots that included those six treys and was 7-12 in free throw tries. The hosts responded with 25 baskets featuring a lone trey. They were 9-18 in free throw attempts. A bright spot that evening was rebounding, where Ipswich enjoyed a 39-22 edge, led by Chesney Olivier with eight. Ipswich totaled nine turnovers and the Knights, 15 - another bright spot. The Tigers had eight steals, led by Katie Bierman's three.