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'Beeters outlast Hays/L.P. 55-48, Fall to Big Sandy, Box Elder

The Chinook Sugarbeeters were in Hays last Tuesday taking on the Thunderbirds in a rescheduled game from December. The 'Beeters battled their way to a 55-48 win to notch their second conference win of the season. Thursday the 'Beeters fell to the Big Sandy Pioneers at home and were defeated 72-52. Saturday in Box Elder the Bears secured an 82-58 win over the 'Beeters.

Tuesday in Hays both teams had their offense rolling early on. The Thunderbirds connected six times from distance, including three from senior Cash Messerly. The 'Beeters collected nine points from senior Brenden Fetter as five players combined to give Chinook a slim 21-20 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The defense began to take over in the second quarter. The 'Beeters took away the three point shot and held the Thunderbirds to just seven points in the quarter. The Thunderbirds tightened up their defense as well, but the 'Beeters got six more from Fetter and took a 32-27 lead into intermission.

The second half continued to be a test of wills with both teams having their chance to change the flow of the game. The 'Beeters maintained a steady attack with Fetter scoring six in the third and sophomore Carson Nissen contributing five. Messerly hit his fourth triple of the game to keep the Thunderbirds in striking distance, with the 'Beeters holding a 44-36 advantage to start the fourth quarter.

Chinook held their ground down the stretch and secured a hard fought 55-48 win over the Thunderbirds. Chinook was led in the contest by Fetter with 26 points. Junior Jackson Nordboe added nine and Nissen finished with eight. Messerly led the Thunderbirds with 17, including four from down town. Senior William Has Eagle contributed 11.

Thursday the 'Beeters got off to a slow start at home against the Pioneers. Big Sandy scored the first 15 points of the contest, taking a 20-4 lead over the 'Beeters into the second quarter. Big Sandy extended their lead to 34-16 by halftime and cruised to a 72-42 win over Chinook. Fetter paced the 'Beeters with 16 points in the contest.

Friday the 'Beeters were in Box Elder and again struggled early on. Chinook trailed 21-15 at the end of one and 39-25 by halftime. Box Elder continued to add to their lead the remainder of the contest and notched a 82-58 win over the 'Beeters. Nordboe led the 'Beeters with 16 points, Fetter tossed in 13 in the loss.

This Friday the 'Beeters head to Chester to take on the Hawks. On Saturday the 'Beeters will be home to face the Thunderbirds.