Defense carries Braves past W-DC

Menahga’s defense was dominant in a 41-21 Park Region Conference girls basketball victory over Wadena-Deer Creek at Wadena on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

The Braves held W-DC’s offense to only five made field goals while forcing 24 turnovers to remain undefeated on the season.

Four inside baskets by Janie Tormanen, a 3-pointer and a three-point play by Martha Peterson, and a pair of jumpers by Maryn Pinoniemi gave Menahga an 18-6 lead. Another three-point play by Peterson, a 3-pointer by Amanda Lake and two baskets by Tormanen produced a 29-11 advantage at the half.

A layup by Tormanen and 3-pointers by Peterson, Tormanen and Pinoniemi led the Braves in the second half. Both teams struggled offensively after the break as the Braves made only 4 of 19 shots (including going 3 for 13 on 3-pointers) while W-DC went 3 for 14 on field goal attempts to finish 5 for 25 on the night.

Tormanen’s 17 points and 10 rebounds led the Braves, who made 5 of 25 3-pointers. Martha Peterson added 12 points and Lela Peterson had four assists and joined Tormanen with four steals as Menahga improved to 2-0 in the conference and 3-0 overall.

No player hit double figures for the Wolverines, who fell to 1-2 in conference play.

MENAHGA: M. Pinoniemi 3 1-2 8, L. Peterson 0 0-0 0, Berttunen 0 0-0 0, M. Peterson 4 2-2 12, J. Tormanen 8 0-1 17, K. Hendrickson 0 1-2 1, J. Hendrickson 0 0-0 0, Schoon 0 0-0 0, Lake 1 0-0 3, Pfeifer 0 0-0 0, Kicker 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 for 48 (FG), 4 for 7 (FT).

WADENA-DEER CREEK: Pettit 0 2-2 2, Mad. Carsten 2 3-4 8, Endres 1 0-0 2, Gravelle 0 2-2 2, Mon. Carsten 1 0-0 3, Schulz 1 2-2 4. Totals: 5 for 25 (FG), 9 for 10 (FT).

Halftime: Menahga 29, W-DC 11. Three-pointers: M. Pinoniemi 1, M. Peterson 2, Tormanen 1, Lake 1, Mad. Carsten 1, Mon. Carsten 1. Team fouls: Menahga 16, W-DC 9. Rebounds: Menahga 24 (J. Tormanen 10, M. Peterson 4, K. Hendrickson 2, L. Peterson 2, Berttunen 2, M. Pinoniemi 2, Lake 1, Pfeifer 1). Assists: Menahga 9 (L. Peterson 4, K. Hendrickson 2, J. Tormanen 1, Lake 1, M. Pinoniemi 1). Steals: Menahga 15 (J. Tormanen 4, L. Peterson 4, K. Hendrickson 2, Berttunen 2, M. Pinoniemi 2, Pfeifer 1). Blocked shots: Menahga 1 (M. Peterson). Turnovers: Menahga 13, W-DC 24.