ROCK SPRINGS – After getting the first win of the season to open the Flaming Gorge Classic, the Lady Tigers just missed another one on Friday.
Rock Springs would hit the court Friday facing another team just down the road in Mountain View. The Lady Tigers would have to overcome a noticeable height advantage.
It looked good early and Lyndzie Kroupa would have Rock Springs out front early, 6-3. The Lady Buffs would respond with a 7-0 run to end the first quarter with the lead, 10-6.
Both teams were able to find a little more offense in the second quarter. Maggie Justinak and Stevie Hill would keep the ladies close, but the post advantage had Mountain View up at half, 28-21.
While the Lady Tigers had good looks at the basket in the first, most were from the outside. Lyndzie Kroupa and Justinak would score six apiece while Hill would finish with four.
The third quarter mirrored the first as the teams struggled to get shots to fall. Most of the offense for Rock Springs in the third came from the free-throw line with Hill, Sarye Thomas and Bailey Johnson hitting from the charity stripe. The ladies of Mountain View would match points and continue to maintain a 10-point lead.
The ladies of Rock Springs would end the third and start the fourth strong. Hill would steal the ball and score two to bring the Lady Tigers within nine to finish the third, 37-28. Justinak would open the fourth with a three to pull RSHS within six, 37-31.
Points by Thomas, Johnson and Hill, would be answered as Mountain View was able to hold an eight-point advantage. With two minutes left, the Lady Tigers would foul Mountain View. The Lady Buffs would miss key front ends and Rock Springs would take advantage. Thomas nailed a three and after another miss at the line, Makenzie Kroupa would knock down one of her own to pull the Lady Tigers within two, 45-43.
Mountain View would go one for two their next trip to go up three with 36 seconds. Justinak would have a good look but would miss long which would lead to free throws on the other side. Rock Springs would not get another look as Mountain View took the 48-43 win.
The Lady Tigers opened the tournament with a 47-35 win over Rich County on Thursday. Rich County began with the first six but the Lady Tigers, behind Makenzie Kroupa and Maggie Justinak, would get the Rock Springs offense going. The Lady Tigers would lead by 22 at the half.
Rock Springs will close the tournament Saturday at 1:30 p.m. as they host Worland.
