DARLINGTON - Last season, the Darlington Redbirds swept the two game home-and-home series with Cuba City on their way to a 21-5 record. This season, the Redbirds can only hope for a split as the 11th-ranked Cubans dropped the 8th-ranked Redbirds 48-37 Thursday in SWAL Conference action.
The Cubans (4-0) held the Redbirds to a combined eight points in the first and third quarters.
"We had some good looks but when you don't convert those open opportunities, good teams make you pay for it," said Darlington head coach Mike Chambers.
Darlington fell behind 29-19 to begin the fourth quarter, but rallied and closed the gap to two points midway through the final period but drew no closer. The two teams were whistled for a whopping 50 fouls in which Cuba City took advantage by converting 15 of 22 free throws in the fourth quarter and 21 of 31 for the game.
Senior Amy Jorgenson led the Redbirds with 15 points with 10 coming from the free throw line. Senior AnnaLisa Ruesga added a season-high eight points for Darlington. Cuba City freshman Chloe Pustina, already one of the top players in the state, was held scoreless in the first quarter, but came through with 17 points and went 6 for 6 at the free throw line in the fourth quarter.
Darlington (2-1 overall, 1-1 SWAL) will travel to Fennimore Tuesday to face the defending SWAL Conference champion Golden Eagles. Fennimore won both regular season meetings last season, but Darlington beat Fennimore, 60-48 in the regional championship at Mineral Point.
River Valley 33, Pecatonica 31
SPRING GREEN - The River Valley Blackhawks outlasted the Pecatonica Vikings 33-31 in a non-conference game Thursday.
The Vikings held an 11-10 halftime lead and hung on to a one-point lead at 23-22 entering the fourth quarter before the Blackhawks rallied to win.
Junior Michelle Francois led Pecatonica with 11 points including three 3-pointers, and junior Lizzy Britt scored eight points before fouling out. Sophomore Alexandra Ihm added seven points for the Vikings.
Both teams shot 50 percent at the free throw line, but the Blackhawks held the advantage by making 13 of 26 while the Vikings were 5 of 10 at the foul line.
Pecatonica (0-4) will begin Six Rivers East conference play when they travel to Monticello Tuesday.
The Cubans (4-0) held the Redbirds to a combined eight points in the first and third quarters.
"We had some good looks but when you don't convert those open opportunities, good teams make you pay for it," said Darlington head coach Mike Chambers.
Darlington fell behind 29-19 to begin the fourth quarter, but rallied and closed the gap to two points midway through the final period but drew no closer. The two teams were whistled for a whopping 50 fouls in which Cuba City took advantage by converting 15 of 22 free throws in the fourth quarter and 21 of 31 for the game.
Senior Amy Jorgenson led the Redbirds with 15 points with 10 coming from the free throw line. Senior AnnaLisa Ruesga added a season-high eight points for Darlington. Cuba City freshman Chloe Pustina, already one of the top players in the state, was held scoreless in the first quarter, but came through with 17 points and went 6 for 6 at the free throw line in the fourth quarter.
Darlington (2-1 overall, 1-1 SWAL) will travel to Fennimore Tuesday to face the defending SWAL Conference champion Golden Eagles. Fennimore won both regular season meetings last season, but Darlington beat Fennimore, 60-48 in the regional championship at Mineral Point.
River Valley 33, Pecatonica 31
SPRING GREEN - The River Valley Blackhawks outlasted the Pecatonica Vikings 33-31 in a non-conference game Thursday.
The Vikings held an 11-10 halftime lead and hung on to a one-point lead at 23-22 entering the fourth quarter before the Blackhawks rallied to win.
Junior Michelle Francois led Pecatonica with 11 points including three 3-pointers, and junior Lizzy Britt scored eight points before fouling out. Sophomore Alexandra Ihm added seven points for the Vikings.
Both teams shot 50 percent at the free throw line, but the Blackhawks held the advantage by making 13 of 26 while the Vikings were 5 of 10 at the foul line.
Pecatonica (0-4) will begin Six Rivers East conference play when they travel to Monticello Tuesday.
