By Staff

            BENNINGTON – In a game matching a pair of Class 2A ranked teams, the number six Moundridge boys overcame an early deficit to gain a final 11-point, 59-48 road win over number five ranked Bennington on Tuesday.

            With the victory, the Wildcats are now 7-2 for the season as they go on the road again on Friday to Remington before playing in the Canton/Galva Tournament next week.

            “We battled back from an early 10-2 deficit and carried the momentum into the second quarter,” explained Wildcat head coach Vance Unrau. “We were able to survive without Landon Kaufman as he sat most of the first quarter with foul troubles.”

            Moundridge overcame the early 10-2 deficit to pull within four at 18-14 at the conclusion of the first quarter before outscoring Bennington 17-9 in the second quarter to take a four-point, 31-27 lead into the halftime break.

            The Wildcats kept Bennington at bay in the third quarter and held a five point advantage heading into the final quarter of play where they pulled away for the final 11-point victory.

            Both teams had foul issues with Moundridge called for 15 while Bennington was whistled for 22, the reason behind the two teams combining for 37 free throw attempts. The Wildcats held a 27-19 edge in rebounding and dished out 19 assists on just 20 made field goals.

            Despite the early foul issues, Landon Kaufman led the team in scoring with 18 points while also directing much of the offense in dishing out eight assists.

            Logan Churchill and Barrett Moddelmog were workhorses in the paint, scoring 16 and 15 points, respectively while both topped the team in rebounds with eight each and Churchill accounting for all six of the team’s blocked shots. While Henry Hecox did not score, he did pass out four assists, pull down four rebounds and make three steals on defense.

            Coach Unrau concluded his post-game reflections by noting, “Bench play by Kepple Adolf, Layton Schmidt, and Zach Dixon were pivotal in maintaining the lead into halftime. We fought off a late charge in the fourth quarter and shot free throws down the stretch. Very pleased with out defense and rebounding tonight.”

MOUNDRIDGE WILDCATS at Bennington

SCORING: WILDCATS > 14-17-13-15=59; Bennington > 18-9-12-9=48.

TEAM STATS:

WILDCATS > FGs – 20/41; 3-PTs – 4/15; FTs – 15/22; AST – 19; REBs – 27; TO – 6; STLs – 6; BLKs – 6; FLs – 15.

Bennington > FGs – 17/39; 3-PTs – 5/12; FTs – 9/15; AST – 11/ REBs – 19; TO – 3; STLs – 2; BLKs – 1; FLs – 22.

WILDCAT INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS: SCORING > Landon Kaufman – 18; Logan Churchill – 16; Barrett Moddelmog – 15; Alec Huddle – 6; Zach Dixon – 4.  3-POINTERS MADE > Moddelmog – 2; Churchill, Kaufman – 1.  ASSISTS > Kaufman – 8; Churchill, Henry Hecox – 4; Moddelmog – 2.  REBOUNDS > Churchill, Moddelmog – 8; Huddle – 5; Hecox – 4.  STEALS > Hecox – 3; Kaufman – 2.  BLOCKED SHOTS > Churchill – 6.

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)