Round 2 goes to the WIldcats

The heavyweight match between Sauk and New London ended in the Wildcats favor tonight. The Streeters had their chances early and late, but shots didn't fall as they fell 45-41 at New London's home court.

It boiled down to shooting, as Sauk shot just 25 percent from the field and New London 53 percent, including a robust 73 percent in the first half alone.

Sauk's defense held New London scoreless for the first 8 minutes of the second half and gave themselves a chance to get back in it. But the Streeters managed just 7 points in those 8 minutes on buckets by Kali Peschel and Shelby Deters sandwiched around a three pointer by Megan Rieland.

The Wildcats finally scored their first bucket of the half to make it 31-28 and eventually increased their lead to 10 at 39-29. New London led 43-36 with 1:40 to go, a far reach for the Streeters who couldn't seem to get anything going on offense.

New London pushed their 2-3 zone out towards the perimeter, causing the Streeters to shoot from beyond the three-point line. Peschel, Rieland and Maren Greenwaldt all made attempts, but usually with a hand or three in their face.

A late runs made it 44-41 when Rieland sank a three with 1:08 to go. Sauk had their chances in the last minute as the Wildcats couldn't convert on the other end. You have to give Sauk credit for not giving in. They had chances down tot he final seconds when New London made it a two possession game with five seconds to play.

But you have to give New London credit for executing on defense, holding the Streeters to their lowest point total all season.

Said head coach Scott Bergman: "We needed to knock down some shots and make some free throws, but we just didn't shoot the ball very well."

Despite an "off" game on the offensive end, Peschel still scored 16 points and Rieland added 11. Savana Weller did great job against New London's much taller post players by grabbing nine rebounds.

 Due to the loss the Streeters finish the season tied in conference action with New London, therefore they are co-champions. Bergman said it would have been nice to run the gamut and win the conference outright. But he also said this: "This group is more focused on getting to the state tournament. The next one is the one we want."