BELLEVILLE — Coming off wins over Division 4 Marshall and Division 3 Turner, Division 5 Albany-Monticello used a total team effort to defeat Division 4 Belleville 44-33.

“This is a very good team,” AM head coach Derik Doescher said of Belleville. “That’s why you schedule them because win or lose, you’re going to learn a lot. It was truly a complete team effort and everybody had to be on deck — that’s what I’m most proud of.”

The Space Stallions were down two players, including starter Karlee Wilkins. That meant Emerson Briggs got the start, and freshman Heidi Olson saw critical minutes as one of two on the bench.

But it was starter Anna Ellinger that sparked the Space Stallions early on. She knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game and, a couple minutes later after three players had offensive boards to keep the possession alive, she hit another one.

“Anna is a very athletic 5’10” player — she can dribble, she can shoot, she can play around the rim and she can go get rebounds,” Doescher said of Ellinger’s contributions. “So it doesn’t surprise me anymore, but I’m super proud of her.” 

While AM relied on the 3-pointer early, Belleville utilized a five-out scheme to create offensive opportunities. After getting the ball into Maddi DeSmet at the post, she kicked out to Nikole Schultz for a 3-pointer. The formation also allowed the Wildcats to get downhill and draw fouls on their way to the basket.

“Maddi is a really good post player and teams are going to help out and give our guards open shots,” Belleville head coach Eric Liegel said. “Our guards have to be able to capitalize on those opportunities. It also created opportunities for some of our guards to get to the lane.”

Both Ellinger and Dalana Trumpy picked up their second fouls midway through the half, sending Wildcats to the line. Those made free throws allowed Belleville to remain one to two possessions within AM. 

The Space Stallions momentarily pulled away around the six-minute mark, as Molly Olson drew a foul on Toria DeVoe. She made only one free throw, but Ellinger grabbed the rebound of the second. Molly Olson ended up cashing in on the end of the possession with a 3-pointer, giving her team a 20-12 lead.

But she, too, ended up picking up her second foul before the half was over. It fueled a short run for Belleville to close out the frame. Addison Edge went 1-for-2 from the line, DeSmet scored with an offensive board, and the Wildcats held for the final possession. With three of his players in foul trouble, Doescher reminded them all to play smart and carefully.

But Molly Olson stepped in the lane, attempting to take a charge from Edge, drawing her third foul. Edge made both of her free throws, cutting her team’s deficit to 22-17.

Edge, and Belleville, carried that momentum into the second half. Six minutes in, she converted an old-fashioned 3-point play to make it a one-possession game. DeVoe, who averaged 16 ppg last season, then stole the ball and took it back for two, tying the game at 26.

“The whole team’s really good playing defense, so Toria’s night was hard to get open looks,” Liegel said. “I preached at halftime, we have to find ways to get Toria open. It was huge.”

But Briggs quickly silenced the home crowd with a 3-pointer to give AM the edge again. Trumpy scored the next three points — one at the free-throw line and the other two off a screen from Molly Olson. During the stretch, DeSmet picked up her fourth foul, as Abby Hollis took the charge.

Even with one of their better players in foul trouble, Belleville threatened yet again. DeVoe drained a 3-pointer and DeSmet assisted Khylee Lietz, making it a 34-33 game. But this time, it was Heidi Olson that knocked down a silencing 3-pointer.

Facing a four-point deficit with just over a minute left in the contest, Belleville was forced to foul in order to gain possession. Edge’s fourth foul sent Heidi Olson to the line, where she made one of two. The Space Stallions, who finished 15-for-24 from the free-throw line, made their bonus and double bonus shots down the stretch to secure the 44-33 win.

“I just have to stay calm,” Heidi Olson said of getting valuable minutes on varsity. Just a year ago, she was on the bench as a manager. “We’re just so supportive. I’ve been around them and it’s really nice. I’ve always said, ‘I can’t wait until I get to go play.’ It’s really nice to have that background.”

Like AM, Belleville is strengthening its nonconference schedule. The Wildcats played another Six Rivers East opponent in Barneveld, winning 53-50 with a buzzer-beater from Schultz. With this game — and its matchup against Argyle-Pecatonica Nov. 26 — Belleville will have faced three strong Division 5 opponents from the same conference.

“I’m proud of my girls, to be honest,” Liegel said. “I know they wanted this one. I know it would have meant a lot to get to win, but … we are a better team because of tonight.”

ARGYLE-PECATONICA 69, BELLEVILLE 58

BELLEVILLE — The Orioles overcame a 35-29 deficit at halftime to knock off the Wildcats in a nonconference game on Nov. 26.

Kylie Butler scored a team-high 30 points, going 9-for-11 from the free-throw line. Brooke Wellnitz followed with 22 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. 

Toria DeVoe and Maddi DeSmet were the duo for Belleville. DeVoe recorded 19 points with three 3-pointers and went 6-for-6 from the line. DeSmet chipped in 17 points all from inside the arc.