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This game wrap is sponsored by our friends at Section 103. They just launched their new Purdue collection in time for March Madness. They’ve got high quality shirts and hats with some different designs you won’t see elsewhere. I’m thinking especially about the Mackey Arena shirt and the World’s Largest Drum shirt. They’ll also be giving fans the chance to vote on their next piece of gear. Check them out and use code HAMMERANDRAILS to get 10% off your first order. Thanks to Section 103, a founder-led company, for their support.
CJ Cox pulled Purdue from the depths of a third straight loss with a five three-pointer second half on his way to a career-high 27 points in Purdue’s come from behind 70-66 win at Welsh-Ryan.
Purdue, fresh off a disappointing loss to Ohio State on the road, looked in jeopardy of dropping a second straight road game to 5 Big Ten wins Northwestern in a Welsh-Ryan Arena with a habit of storming higher-ranked Purdue teams.
Purdue, after rising as high as #1 in the country, and being national title favorites, have slipped over the last month of play. Purdue has gone 5-6 in its last 11 games, and couldn’t afford to drop another to a Northwestern team that is fighting for Big Ten Tournament seeding.
For Purdue, sloppy play and a disconnected defense continued to plague a team threatening to slip out of the top-20 and down the NCAA seed line.
Purdue went into the half trailing 34-25 after turning the ball over 8 times.
Inspired play by CJ Cox kept Purdue in it. He hit two early threes in the corner and then had an offensive rebound and put back to tie up midway through the second half.
Around him, Purdue’s three four-year starters who had lost twice in this building already, struggled to get their shot to fall.
Trey Kaufman-Renn, Fletcher Loyer, and Braden Smith combined to go 10 for 23 from the floor and 2-9 from three between Smith and Loyer.
But Cox would hit his fourth three-pointer of the half to give Purdue a 60-57 lead on a possession that looked to be going nowhere as Fletcher Loyer started to fall on a drive left. Loyer got the ball out late to Cox who was able to beat the shot clock and give Purdue a 60-57 lead with under four to play.
A live ball turnover by Braden Smith would allow Northwestern a free lay up to recapture the lead 66-65 with a little over a minute to play before Northwestern lost CJ Cox in the far corner again.
The three, Cox’s fifth of the game and half, would give Purdue a 68-66 lead with under a minute to play.
Cox would then help force a tunover after a Loyer missed three and Smith would seal the game with two free throws to push Purdue’s lead to 70-66 with ten seconds to play.
Wild women's college basketball melee leaves ref injured as eight players are ejected from tournament game
A basketball referee was injured and eight players were tossed after a wild brawl during a Sun Belt Tournament game in Pensacola, Florida. At least three players have been suspended.
Inland Lakes, Onaway to meet in district final; Cheboygan, Comets fall
ONAWAY – Scoring balance has been a theme for the Inland Lakes Bulldogs all season.
It’s a huge reason why the Bulldogs have been winning championships over the last few years.
That balanced attack was once again on display in a postseason setting, as the Bulldogs saw nine different players score in a 63-22 victory over Rogers City in an MHSAA Division 4 girls basketball district semifinal at Onaway on Wednesday, March 4.
Senior Chloe Robinson and sophomore Ava Belford recorded 14 points apiece for the Bulldogs (19-3), who led 10-7 despite a sluggish opening quarter. Inland Lakes showed improvement in the second quarter, outscoring the Hurons 15-3 and taking a 25-10 advantage into halftime.
“We discussed being more balanced offensively after the first quarter. From that point, we started rolling,” Inland Lakes coach Daryl Vizina said. “This game was like so many this season where we got contributions from everyone.”
Also getting in on the I-L scoring act were Faith Lehre and Molly Monthei, who tallied six points apiece, Josephine Furman, Mary Myshock, Andrea Vigneau and Addison Byrne, who scored five points each, and Kalli Williamson, who chipped in with three.
"Faith (Lehre) got our game ball. She scored a few buckets when we were working through things early,” Vizina said. "She also played tough defense. She’s an unsung hero for us every game.”
Natalie Crawford’s 12 points paced Rogers City (10-13), which received six points from Chelsea Myers.
Inland Lakes will go for a fourth consecutive district title when they travel to face M-68 rival Onaway in a 7 p.m. final on Friday, March 6.
Szymoniak, Cardinals power past Posen
ONAWAY – Marley Szymoniak’s high school basketball career is ending soon.
But the Onaway senior guard will get one last shot to win a district title on her home court.
Szymoniak netted a game-high 19 points – including four 3-pointers – to help lead the Cardinals to a 42-26 victory over Posen in an MHSAA Division 4 girls basketball district semifinal at Onaway on Wednesday, March 4.
Szymoniak’s big-time performance was pivotal for the Cardinals (8-15), who used a strong first half to take a 27-14 lead into the break.
“(Szymoniak) had a great night on both sides of the court,” Onaway coach John George said. “She was talking and keeping everyone up.”
Onaway also played outstanding defense, forcing 18 Posen turnovers in the contest.
Onaway received seven points from Maya Shimel, six from Saleen MacGregor, five from Natalee Hyde (five steals), three from Andrea Ruppert (six blocks), and two from Aleigha Garms (10 rebounds).
Onaway faces Inland Lakes (19-3) in a 7 p.m. district final at Onaway on Friday, March 6.
“We all know we have our hands full playing another matchup with I-Lakes,” George said. “The last two meetings haven’t been favorable for us, but we are familiar with what we are going to see and hope that helps us a bit. Either way, I’m proud of my group. Great win to make it to the final on our home court.”
Second quarter sinks Chiefs in loss to Sault
PETOSKEY – When senior Olivia Patrick hit a 3-pointer to cut Cheboygan’s deficit to one against Sault Ste. Marie in the second quarter, it seemed like momentum was in favor of the Chiefs.
But then the Blue Devils snatched it away in an instant, while the Chiefs could never recover.
Right after Patrick’s three, the Blue Devils exploded with a 16-0 run and coasted to a 51-26 victory over the Chiefs in an MHSAA Division 2 basketball district semifinal at Petoskey on Wednesday, March 4.
“The Sault is always tough. We knew we needed to break their press every possession and stop transition buckets,” Cheboygan coach Walter Hanson said. “We also wanted to work the inside with various mismatches. Things went to plan in the first quarter. Diem (Schley) did great working the inside. Then (Sault) started to get into their groove and got some buckets. Then we struggled from then on.”
Schley’s seven points led the Chiefs (11-11), who received six points from Cloee Rupp, five apiece from Estella Redding and Patrick, and two from Jaelyn Wheelock.
“We played hard and did a lot of things well,” Hanson said. “(Sault) had a few more unanswered runs that sunk our efforts. Overall, it was a good season for us and the girls worked really hard. The seniors need to get a lot of credit for the work they have put in. Our team is full of amazing kids who work hard, care about each other, and put others before themselves.”
Following the defeat, Hanson praised his senior class – Jaelyn Wheelock, Olivia Patrick, Addison Ptasnik, Caleigh Easter and Bea Schulz – once more.
“It’s been an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to coach them the last few years,” Hanson said.
Madee Darling scored a game-high 19 points and Piper Bell netted 16 for the Blue Devils (18-4), who clash with host Petoskey (19-3) in a 6 p.m. district final on Friday, March 6.
Petoskey rolled to a 57-22 victory over Kalkaska in its semifinal.
Comets beaten by Cedarville in semifinals
CEDARVILLE – The Mackinaw City Comets gave Cedarville a battle, but it just wasn’t enough.
Looking to book their ticket to a district final, the Comets fell short in a 47-37 loss in an MHSAA Division 4 girls basketball semifinal at Cedarville on Wednesday, March 4.
Cedarville (14-7) travels to St. Ignace (13-8) for a 6 p.m. district final on Friday, March 6. The Saints rolled to a 57-21 win over Pickford in their semifinal.
Despite the loss, the Comets (15-9) had a solid season, capturing eight victories in their final 10 games.
Stats for Mackinaw City will be provided when they become available.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan-area high school girls basketball district semifinal roundup