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Ferguson, defense key 10th win by Bravettes
Jan. 9, 2012

Sooner or later in the second half, you figured Montezuma would have both of its foul-hampered post players in the game at the same time, and the Bravettes would break Keota's press.

And that's what happened, not once, but a couple of times. And it was enough for the Bravettes to rebuild a lead back to eight points. It enabled them to hold off determined Keota, 36-34 on Monday evening, Jan. 9, in Montezuma.

The Bravettes won despite making 31 turnovers. That was thanks in part to 13-for-59 shooting (22 percent) by Keota. That was thanks, in part, certainly, to Montezuma's defense, which contested Keota jump shots.

"We started well," said Bravettes coach Keith Sietstra, who was pleased by his team's effort and by it's 10th win of the season, and ninth in league play, which kept the team in third place in the SICL chase.

"Our first quarter was one of our best of the season."

The Bravettes led 13-6 after one period, "but then our minds got ahead of our feet," Sietstra said.

"Then, that third quarter was ugly, by both sides."

The Bravettes outscored Keota 7-4 in the third to take a 32-24 lead in the fourth quarter. Seven of the 11 points scored by the teams in that period came in the final two minutes, when the Bravettes broke Keota's press several times.

Montezuma put up just 4 points in the fourth quarter, but had defensive stops ready when needed as they held off the Lady Eagles in the closing seconds.

The Bravettes got a terrific double-double from Alexis Ferguson, who had 15 rebounds and also led her team with 10 points. She also had 5 steals and blocked a shot.

Montezuma also got a four-point run from underclassmen Courtney Petersen and Mackenzie James. "They did a great, great job. And that was huge," Siestra said. "We had seniors in foul trouble."

Sietstra had to manage four fouls each on senior posts Brynna Steele and Emily Long.

"A key for us was our defensive rebounding," Sietstra said. "We tookcare of the ball under the basket. And it takes all five of us to do that."

Keota is 7-6 overall and 6-6 in SICL play.

WATCH IT! - at 1 and 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday with Keith Brake and Zach Price bringing home the action.

NEXT UP - The Bravettes are at Iowa Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 10.  

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Keota            6   14    4   10  -  34
Montezuma  13   12    7     4  -  36

KEOTA (34): Lexi Sieren 0, 0-0, 1, 0. Spenser Becker 3, 3-4, 1, 9. Megan Olson 0, 0-0, 1, 0. Brayton Flynn 3, 2-2, 3, 9. Hannah Brenneman 1, 2-2, 3, 4. Kelsi Sieren 0, 0-0, 3, 0. Shawna Sieren 5, 0-0, 2, 10. Madison Sheetz 0, 0-2, 2, 0. TOTALS: 13, 7-10, 16, 34.

MONTEZUMA (36): Aly James 1, 0-0, 0, 3. Alexis Ferguson 4, 1-5, 2, 10. Carly Steele 0, 0-0, 2, 0. Courtney Petersen 2, 0-1, 0, 4. Mackenzie James 2, 2-3, 1, 6. Brynna Steele 3, 1-2, 4, 7. Emily Long 2, 1-2, 4, 6. TOTALS: 14, 5-13, 13, 36.

Three-point goals: Keota 1 (Flynn 1). Montezuma 3 (Ferguson 1, Long 1, A. James 1).
Fouled out: none.
Turnovers: Keota 19, Montezuma 31.
Bravette rebound leaders: Ferguson 15, C. Steele 5, Long 4, B. Steele 4, A. James 3.
Assists leaders: Long 4, M. James 2, Ferguson 2.
Steals leaders: Ferguson 5, A. James 5.
Blocks: Long 2, Ferguson 1, A. James 1.

Line score legend: Field goals made, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.

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