Adam Papin/MDN Des Lacs-Burlington’s Kaylee Werner (12) dribbles past a Bishop Ryan defender during the third quarter of the Lakers win on Tuesday.

DES LACS – The Des Lacs Burlington Lakers and the Bishop Ryan Lions slogged their way into halftime of their girls’ basketball game tied at 15-15. The Lakers jumped out to an early 11-9 lead behind Logen Ystaas’ six first quarter points, but Bishop Ryan outscored Des Lacs-Burlington 6-4 in the second to even things up at the break. .

“The first half was a grind for us. We couldn’t seem to find our rhythm offensively or defensively,” said Des Lacs-Burlington girls’ basketball head coach Tracy Bonn. “We tried a couple different defenses and just didn’t ever seem really comfortable.”

According to Bonn, the Lakers spent halftime focusing on simplifying their game plan by returning to basic, fundamental basketball. “I never have to question their hard work, but we just needed to clean things up,” said Bonn.

The adjustments worked, as the Zanna Bjerkie scored eight points and Kaylee Werner added six, as the Lakers exploded for 19 points in the third quarter to take a commanding 35-22 lead heading into the fourth. Despite Tochi Udekwe scoring seven of her sixteen points in the fourth quarter to lead Bishop Ryan, it wasn’t enough as Des Lacs-Burlington won 50-31 to improve to 8-2 on the season.

Des Lacs-Burlington had three girls reach double figures, led by Kaylee Werner with 15 points. Ystaas and Bjerklie each scored ten for the Lakers. Ava Brown just missed posting double figures, finishing with nine points on the night.

In addition to T. Udekwe’s 16 points, other Lions scorers included Chinelo Udekwe and Alena Johannsen each scored five points, while Olivia Demars had three and Violet Demars added two.

The Lakers were able to force twelve Lions’ turnovers in the win.

Des Lacs-Burlington hosts Central McLean on Thursday night, while Bishop Ryan, who drops to 3-9 on the year, travels to Velva on Friday night to take on the Aggies.