RIVERTON – The Rock Springs Lady Tiger’s made a big statement on Friday as they moved to 2-0 on the season with a 34-point win over the fourth-ranked Sheridan Lady Broncs, 67-33.

Much like Thursday, it was the Lady Tiger defense that spoke the loudest. Rock Springs held Sheridan to only four points in the second quarter and continued to apply pressure in the second half. Offensively, the Lady Tigers had a balanced attack led by Makylee Buell and Maggie Justinak.

LIke the weather outside, both teams opened cold to start the game. Sheridan scored first with four minutes left in the quarter but a strong effort by Alyssa Vigil kept the Lady Tigers close. Vigil responded after every Lady Bronc bucket and scored the first five for Rock Springs to keep the game even early. Sheridan scored four straight but threes by Makylee Buell and Maggie Justinak gave RSHS its first lead of the game, 11-9. Selena Cudney converted a three-point play in the final 20 seconds to give the Lady Tigers a 14-9 lead after one.

Buell had a strong first half on Thursday and her hot shooting continued as she knocked down another three to start the second quarter. Sarye Thomas scored her first two of the game to extend the Lady Tiger lead to double digits early, 19-9. After a Sheridan bucket, Buell knocked down two free throws to keep the Rock Springs lead at 10 with 4:53 to go in the half. Cudney added free throws and Vigil hit again to extend the Tiger lead to 13, 24-11. Thomas would match Sheridan free throws as Rock Springs took a 13-point lead at the break, 26-13.

Buell finished with eight in the first half to lead a balanced attack for the Lady Tigers. Vigil added seven while Cudeny and Thomas each put in four in the first. Maggie Justinak had three points but finished with four assists and four rebounds in the half.

Justinak and Buell did not waste any time as the struck quick to start the second half. The two extended the Lady Tiger lead to 17, 30-13. Sheridan was able to put points on the board but Justinak quickly ended any momentum. She hit two more from behind the line to keep Rock Springs up 18, 37-19. Sheridan continued to hit but so did the Lady Tigers. Cudney and Taylor Jenkins added field goals and Justinak connected from downtown for a third time as Rock Springs added to the lead. Buell would cap off another strong quarter with a three as the Lady Tigers jumped up 26 at the end of the third, 49-23.

Sheridan continued to hit to start the fourth but Thomas and Justinak kept them out of reach. Thomas added free throws and Justinak hit another three as the Lady Tigers maintained the 55-29 lead. Buell, Justinak and Emily Quigley added points down the stretch as Rock Springs moved to 2-0 early with the 67-33 win.

Unofficially, Buell finished with 19 points while Justinak finished with 18 to pace Rock Springs. Vigil finished with nine follwed by Thomas with eight and Cudney with seven.

The Lady Tigers will wrap up the Bill Strannigan Invite on Saturday as they face Jackson at 3 p.m. The game is scheduled to be played at Central Wyoming Community College.

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