ROCK SPRINGS – The Green River Lady Wolves hit double-digit wins for the first time in 10 years as they swept the season series with rival Rock Springs in a game that went down to the wire, 44-42.
Both teams were even from the start as Taylor Stoeger and Emily Quigly traded buckets. Ashelynn Birch scored six of the final seven points in the first quarter for the Lady Wolves while Selena Cudney added a bucket for Rock Springs as Green River took a 12-8 lead after one.
Maggie Justinak heated up to start the second but Birch continued to hit for the Lady Wolves. Points from Hannah Hix and a three by Andri Dewey pushed the Green River lead to ten halfway through the second, 22-12. Quigly and Justinak sparked a Lady Tigers run as they scored the final six of the half to pull within four at the break, 22-18.
Justinak and Stoeger traded buckets to start the second half and Birch pushed the Lady Wolves lead back to six. The Lady Tigers were able to chip away at the small lead outscoring the Lady Wolves 11 to 9 to pull within two at the end of the third.
Behind a Ky Buell three, Rock Springs opened the final period on a 5-0 run to take a 34-31 lead. Andri Dewey kept the Lady Wolves calm and was able to hit key buckets as Green River answered with a 5-2 run to even the game at 36. After several Lady Wolves free throws, Taylor Jenkins evened the game back up at 39 for the Lady Tigers. Both teams struggled to make shots for the final three minutes of the game. The difference was Green River was able to get to the free-throw line.
While they struggled from the line, GRHS were able to hit key front ends to slowly pull out in front with makes by Madelyn Heiser, Birch and Stoeger. The Lady Tigers had several good looks in the final minute but could not get them to fall. With seven seconds left, Hix hit two crucial free throws to put the Lady Wolves up five. Justinak hit a three with a second remaining to pull Rock Springs within two but there was not enough time to try to get a final look.
Rock Springs will travel to Jackson on Tuesday for a make-up game before heading to Casper for a weekend series with Natrona and Kelly Walsh. Green River will also be in Casper this weekend.
Green River High School
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