BRODHEAD - Senior Erin Nyhus scored a game-high 15 points and had 12 rebounds to power the Brodhead girls basketball team to a 55-38 win over Monticello in the season opener Tuesday.
Monticello junior Alyssen Noriega drilled a 3-pointer to start the game to give the Ponies an early lead. It marked the first varsity game for the Ponies in three years. Monticello has played a junior varsity schedule the past two years due to age and low numbers. Brodhead answered with a 29-3 run kick-started by Nyhus who hit three 3-pointers and had two steals during the surge.
The Cardinals had eight offensive rebounds in the first half and the Ponies had 10 turnovers. After leading 5-2 early on, the Ponies went through a scoring drought that spanned more than 12 minutes.
"I thought we definitely worked a lot harder in the first half than the second," Brodhead coach Brian Kammerer said. "When we can get those second-chance points and Erin hit those threes it opened it up. I give credit to Monticello. They came ready to play. I'm not sure we were ready."
Brodhead junior Alexis Oliver came up with a steal and that led to sophomore Carissa Purdue's layup on the break that gave the Cardinals an 18-5 lead with 10 minutes, 55 seconds left in the first half. Oliver scored down low and Nyhus knocked down a 3-pointer to extend the Cardinals' lead to 27-5.
Monticello junior Hannah Zanow hit a 3-pointer with 2:52 to go in the first half to snap the cold spell to cut the Cardinals' lead to 31-8. Brodhead built a 36-8 lead at the half.
It was a different story in the second half as the Ponies outscored the Cardinals 30-17. Noriega scored eight of her team-high 11 points in the frame.
"We got too complacent with a 36-8 lead at the half," Kammerer said. "We have to do a better job of doing the little things in the second half. We came out and just kind of went through the motions in the second half. It's disappointing."
Monticello freshman Mackie Errthum added eight points and Zanow chipped in six points.
Brodhead senior Brooke Bescup added nine points. Junior teammate Jacklyn Kleeman, junior Kalyn Lawrence and Purdue each scored six points. The Cardinals shot 9 of 17 (55 percent from the free throw line compared to the Ponies who were 8 of 14 for 57 percent.
"I just think we shot the ball poorly," Kammerer said. "I just don't think our legs are there yet."
Brodhead will host Big Foot on Friday. The Chiefs are the preseason favorite to win the Rock Valley Conference title.
"It was good to squeeze in a game against Monticello," Kammerer said. "It's good for the girls to see that atmosphere before our first conference game. Now it's time to go to work. We will have our hands full. Big Foot is a very good team."
Monticello junior Alyssen Noriega drilled a 3-pointer to start the game to give the Ponies an early lead. It marked the first varsity game for the Ponies in three years. Monticello has played a junior varsity schedule the past two years due to age and low numbers. Brodhead answered with a 29-3 run kick-started by Nyhus who hit three 3-pointers and had two steals during the surge.
The Cardinals had eight offensive rebounds in the first half and the Ponies had 10 turnovers. After leading 5-2 early on, the Ponies went through a scoring drought that spanned more than 12 minutes.
"I thought we definitely worked a lot harder in the first half than the second," Brodhead coach Brian Kammerer said. "When we can get those second-chance points and Erin hit those threes it opened it up. I give credit to Monticello. They came ready to play. I'm not sure we were ready."
Brodhead junior Alexis Oliver came up with a steal and that led to sophomore Carissa Purdue's layup on the break that gave the Cardinals an 18-5 lead with 10 minutes, 55 seconds left in the first half. Oliver scored down low and Nyhus knocked down a 3-pointer to extend the Cardinals' lead to 27-5.
Monticello junior Hannah Zanow hit a 3-pointer with 2:52 to go in the first half to snap the cold spell to cut the Cardinals' lead to 31-8. Brodhead built a 36-8 lead at the half.
It was a different story in the second half as the Ponies outscored the Cardinals 30-17. Noriega scored eight of her team-high 11 points in the frame.
"We got too complacent with a 36-8 lead at the half," Kammerer said. "We have to do a better job of doing the little things in the second half. We came out and just kind of went through the motions in the second half. It's disappointing."
Monticello freshman Mackie Errthum added eight points and Zanow chipped in six points.
Brodhead senior Brooke Bescup added nine points. Junior teammate Jacklyn Kleeman, junior Kalyn Lawrence and Purdue each scored six points. The Cardinals shot 9 of 17 (55 percent from the free throw line compared to the Ponies who were 8 of 14 for 57 percent.
"I just think we shot the ball poorly," Kammerer said. "I just don't think our legs are there yet."
Brodhead will host Big Foot on Friday. The Chiefs are the preseason favorite to win the Rock Valley Conference title.
"It was good to squeeze in a game against Monticello," Kammerer said. "It's good for the girls to see that atmosphere before our first conference game. Now it's time to go to work. We will have our hands full. Big Foot is a very good team."
