Two state girls basketball powers battled Thursday night in Plymouth as the Providence Academy Lions, the top ranked team in Class AA got 27 points from Maddyn Greenway to help beat the Becker Bulldogs, the second ranked team in Class AAA 75-65..
It would take a while for the first basket as Grace counts gave the Lions the early lead 1:16 into the game. Elizabeth Mackedanz and Courtney Nuest would put the Bulldogs ahead. The early lead would go back and forth until Providence Academy would go on an 8-0 run, with five of the eight points coming from the freshman Greenway. Becker would go on a 5-0 run, including a three pointer from Ayla Brown. But the Lions would get back in front with six straight points from Emma Millerbernd, an eighth grade transfer from Wayzata. The Bulldogs would cut the lead to one with three pointers from Mackedanz and Brown. Providence Academy would widen their lead as Greenway would account for four of six consecutive points coming off steal. But Becker would come close and eventually take the lead on a pair of three pointers from Brown. The lead would be short-lived as the Lions closed out the first half with a three pointer from Brook Hohnecker and a layup by Greenway at the buzzer to give Providence Academy a 40-36 halftime lead.
The Bulldogs would begin the second half scoring on their first possession as Nuest hit a layup. The Lions would pull away as they would break through Becker's 2-1-2 defense. Hohnecker would hit her second three pointer and Greenway would score four straight points. Brown's hot shooting would be the bright spot but it wouldn't be enough as Hope Counts, whose offense went MIA in the first half would score seven in the second half. As Providence Academy widened their lead, head coach Conner Goetz sent in the reserves with 3:05 left to go.
Other Providence Academy players in double figures were Hohnecker with 16 points. Grace Counts scored 11 and Millerbernd added 10. Brown was the only Becker player in double figures, scoring a game high 29 points.
The Lions improved their record to 8-2 and will face the Class A power the Mountain Iron-Buhl Rangers on Saturday, January 7 at 5 PM at Duluth East. The Bulldogs, who started the season 5-0, lost their second straight game and fell ro 5-2. They will return to action on Friday, January 6 when they host the Big Lake Hornets at 5:45 PM.
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