Winning four in a row, now losing three in a row, the Cowgirls’ season has flipped.
A 7-0 record was the goal for the Cowgirls by the end of the week, but the three matches in that week all betrayed their hopes as each resulted in a loss. After barely defeating the Lynx, the Cowgirls struggled to gain another win for their record as they lost all three matchups in the past week. The losses of these matches, however, result in a major positive: eagerness for betterment. With the eagerness and drive for success, the Cowgirls will be heading into their next match with that eagerness, after three crushing, consecutive losses.
The first half started strong for both teams. It was anyone’s game by the end of the first quarter, as each team ended the first with nine points. All tied up, and setting off the second quarter, both teams emerged to the court with anticipation from the crowd as the game was anybody’s. The second quarter saw the same energy from both sides, as both the Cowgirls and Cadets stacked the points throughout the quarter and kept the match a tight race. By the end of the second quarter, however, it was the Cadets who went on top as they delivered 11 points while the Cowgirls added another nine. The first half ended with a 20-18 lead for the Cadets. It remained anyone’s game, as the Cadets were only up two points to tip-off the second half.
A completely different game was the second half compared to the first, as the Iowa Falls-Alden Cadets’ lead increased greatly. The Cowgirls defense struggled in the third quarter as the Cadets took advantage and piled the points over them, scoring 21 points. Offensively, the Cowgirls struggled to gain the points needed to level with the Cadets. Blocking shots, intercepting passes, and capitalizing opportunities, the Cadets simply took charge in the second half. The third quarter ended 41-28 for the Cadets, but there was still another quarter to go, and the Cowgirls never backed down. With the fourth quarter underway, the Cadets supporters were not quite humble as the hope for a comeback slipped away from the Cowgirls fingertips. With cheers and chants, the Cadets assured the point was made that they were indeed winning and the Cowgirls were not. The fourth quarter only saw three points scored by the Cowgirls, as they struggled to sink buckets with numerous attempts. It just wasn’t their game. When the final buzzer went off, the Cadets celebrated their victory after adding 17 points to their lead in the final quarter.
Though the game ended in a 58-31 defeat for the Cowgirls, there are still an abundance of matches left in the season for the Cowgirls. Their next match for the Cowgirls is set for Tuesday, December 21, where they will travel to Algona for tip-off set for 6:15 PM.
