Lady Cardinals come painfully close to third season victory

by Doug Sands, student writer

The Eleva-Strum Lady Cards came within three points of winning their third game of the 2014-15 season this week, but they couldn’t top Gilmanton in a heartbreaking match.

The Cardinals traveled to Gilmanton on Tuesday, Feb. 3, confident they could make some headway. Eleva-Strum tussled with the Panthers in the first quarter, but neither team gained a decisive lead. The second quarter opened up the game for the Lady Cards. Gilmanton stumbled, losing valuable momentum. The Cardinals didn’t waste any time, striking with a rapid offensive. By halftime, Eleva-Strum was in high spirits, holding a seven-point lead, 22-15.

The Panthers pounced in the third, sinking their claws into the Cardinals’ lead. Eleva-Strum struggled, but Gilmanton pushed them down, carving out a three-point lead. The Lady Cards grappled for all they were worth in the fourth quarter; coming that close to a victory, they weren’t ready to give it up, but the Panthers held them point for point and Eleva-Strum couldn’t make up the deficit. Gilmanton snatched the game 54-51.

Alexis McDonald led the Cardinals with 18 points on the scoreboard followed by Josie Olson and Greta Monson, both with 10 points, and Taylor Everson with six.

The Lady Cardinals hosted Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran on Monday, Feb. 9, and will head to Alma/Pepin for another Small Dairyland Conference game on Thursday, Feb. 12, before closing out their regular season schedule at home against Independence on Monday, Feb. 16.