Sophomore forward Elli Laskowski did all she could to keep the Minot North girls basketball team within arms distance of Bismarck Legacy during its West Region opener on Tuesday, Dec. 16, pouring in a game-high 34 points and grabbing 12 rebounds for a double-double.

The Sabers were able to withstand Laskowski’s production, knocking off the Sentinels, 72-53, at Legacy High School. The rest of the Sentinels combined for just 19 points. Sheyenne Bingeman, Kinzy Welstad and Cambree Phillips each had five points, while Brynn Francis finished with four points to round out the scoring.

The Sentinels (1-1 overall, 0-1 WDA) shot 33.3 percent from the field, hitting 18 of their 54 attempts.

Marlee Falcon led the Sabers (4-0, 1-0) with 22 points. Mya Hieb filled out the stat sheet, scoring eight points, grabbing 15 rebounds, dishing out six assists and coming away with two steals. Legacy held a 56-32 edge on the glass, including a 27-10 advantage in offensive rebounds. It resulted in 24 second-chance points and 46 points in the paint.

Neither team found its scoring touch from behind the 3-point line, combining to go just 5-for-38.

Minot North travels to play Dickinson on Friday, Dec. 19, at 6:45 p.m.

Elsewhere in the state capitol, top-ranked Minot High turned to its defense on an off night from its offense, stymying Bismarck St. Mary’s, 69-42, to pick up its first conference victory of the season.

The Majettes (3-0, 1-0) limited the Saints to 15 points in the opening half and led 42-15 at the break. Leelee Bell finished with a game-high 33 points and Kinley Bartsch added 11.

The 69 points was Minot High’s fewest on the young season. The Majettes put up 80-plus points in each of their first two games.

Mataya Messer led the Saints (2-2, 0-1) with 16 points.

The Majettes host Bismarck High on Friday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m.