Pine City hosted Mora on Friday night.
This was the 2nd meeting of the season between these two rivals. In a matchup that is a section game but now also a conference game, there was alot on the line for both teams.
The game started with a turnover for Pine City, and Mora wasted no time in capitalizing off of that. The Dragons struggles with turnovers continued, but all of the turnovers were coming on unforced errors. Passes that were off the mark, players not set up in the right spots and not setting their feet, all things that are fixable but seem to affect Pine City throughout the 1st half. The Mustangs weren't able to capitalize off of all the empty possessions the Dragons had, but they were able to build a small lead. The Dragons got to the free throw line and were able to tie the game. From that point on the game was back and forth, but Mora clearly had momentum on their side. While the Mustangs made every basket look easy, the Dragons had to fight for each point they scored. As the half wore on Mora once again built up a lead and this time held on for a chunk of time. Near the end of the half Pine City was able close the gap, tie the game and take the lead. The Dragons ended the half on an 11-2 run taking a 33-25 lead.
The 2nd half proved to be more of a defensive battle. Of course points were still scored but that came more at a premium. Both teams played well but the Dragons offense was able to pull ahead enough to keep Mora at a safe distance away from the lead. Pine City lead the entire 2nd half, but Mora had some stretches of play where it felt like a comeback was inevitable. The Mustangs push just wasn't enough and the Pine City defense made the stops they needed to hang on for the win 53-41.
Pine City improved to 14-10 on the season and 7-6 in the conference. They'll have a big section test on Tuesday at Spectrum. A win there could mean the difference between a home playoff game and one on the road.
Mora falls to 6-17 and will host Braham on Monday. This Mustangs record may not be what they want, but don't count them out. They will be one of the toughest teams to beat in the playoffs no matter who or where they have to play.
Scoring
Pine City:
Mallory Clepper 22
Piper Mettling 14
Brooke Boland 9
Paige Gray 8
Mora:
Addison Axtell 14
Amber Fix 9
Teagan Oslin 7
Meghan Sperling and Emma Axtell 4
Ellia Kastenbauer 2
Mackenzie Holte 1
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