Panthers beat Mondovi, fall short to Eleva-Strum
by Nick Urness and Desmond Davis, student writers
The Gilmanton boys basketball team had an up-and-down week last week, topping Mondovi in non-conference action by over 30 points before dropping another painful one-point decision, this time to Eleva-Strum.
It’s the third time this season the Panthers have lost a game by one point, falling 45-44 to the Cards in a game that could decide which of the two teams will take the Small Dairyland Conference title this year.
On Monday, Feb. 2, the Panthers beat the Mondovi Buffaloes, 63-30. The Panthers were looking to get back on track and get a victory following a loss to Augusta on Homecoming night the previous Friday.
Gilmanton allowed the Buffaloes to score 11 points in the first quarter, but still were leading 13-11. The Panthers picked up the defensive intensity and would let the Buffaloes only score 19 points the next three quarters.
With a very well-rounded game from the whole team, the Panthers picked up a 33-point victory. Desmond Davis led the team with 23 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Devin Oesau with 12 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, and Brody Larson with eight points and seven rebounds.
On Thursday, Feb. 5, the Panthers traveled to Eleva-Strum for a highly-anticipated game against the Cardinals. Both teams entered the game tied in conference play with a record of 7-3, making for the top two teams in the Small Dairyland Conference.
The game was tight through the first half with the Panthers holding a slight advantage at the half, 24-20. However, during the third quarter the Panthers gained a 10-point lead. Yet the Cardinals would not back down and came back to take the lead with 10 seconds to go. The Cardinals ended up with the one-point victory and now sit at the top of the division at 8-3 while Gilmanton fell to 7-4.
Oesau led the team with 12 points and six rebounds, Larson added nine points and Nick Urness contributed seven points and three steals.
The Panthers will look to get back on track and maintain their spot in the Small Dairyland standings with two more conference games this week. Gilmanton hosted Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran on Tuesday, Feb. 10, and will travel to Alma/Pepin on Friday, Feb. 13.
