Sylvan-Lucas Takes Two from Natoma

Girls: Sylvan-Lucas 63, Natoma 20
Boys: Sylvan-Lucas 53, Natoma 20

SYLVAN GROVE-Keeli Knobbe scored 12 points as the Sylvan-Lucas Lady Mustangs bolted out to a large first quarter lead on their way to a 63-20 victory over Natoma in Northern Plains League action Tuesday evening. 

After Candyce Engling opened the game with a three-pointer to give the Lady Tigers their only lead, Sylvan-Lucas (7-1, 4-0 NPL) took control and led 24-5 after the first eight minutes.  The Lady Mustangs pitched a shutout in the second stanza and led at intermission 34-5. Another surge in the third quarter by Sylvan-Lucas provided for a 55-10 lead after three periods which allowed the fourth quarter to be played with a running clock.

Sylvan-Lucas' seventh consecutive win after a season-opening loss to Bennington was a team effort as 10 different Lady Mustangs scored.  Engling led all scorers with 16 points for Natoma (1-6, 1-3 NPL).

In the Boys game, the Mustangs scored the first six points of the contest and never looked back as they avenged last year's road loss at Natoma with a 53-20 win over the Tigers.  

Sylvan-Lucas opened up a 16-7 lead after the first quarter and led 26-13 at halftime after a fairly even second period.  The Mustangs then used a 23-3 blitz in the third quarter to build a 49-16 cushion and the fourth quarter was played with a running clock.  

Eight Mustangs scored led by 16 points from Valden Dohl as Sylvan-Lucas (7-1, 4-0 NPL) won their seventh straight game after losing on opening night.  Derek George was the leading scorer for shorthanded Natoma (1-5, 0-3 NPL) with nine points.  

Both teams will now prepare for the Northern Plains League mid-season tournament which begins later this week.  Brackets are expected to be released on Wednesday.