PINEDALE – The Pinedale High School Lady Wranglers remain at the top of the 3A Southwest Quadrant following two decisive victories against Lyman and Lander over the weekend.

A tenacious Lady Wrangler offense, combined with a determined Pinedale defense, nearly doubled the Lyman Lady Eagles in scoring over the first half of the February 9 home game.

Pinedale’s commanding halftime lead, 41-23, allowed the Lady Wranglers to maintain the lead through a point-for-point second half and post a resounding 65-49 victory against Lyman.

The Lady Wranglers overwhelmed the Lander Lady Tigers, 18-11, in the first quarter of the February 10 away game. Pinedale fought off attempts by Lander to close the deficit in neck-and-neck second and third quarters.

Roaring onto the court in the fourth quarter, the Lady Wranglers topped Lander in scoring, 19-12, to snag a crucial 55-46 win against the Lady Tigers.

The back-to-back victories cemented Pinedale’s position as the top team in the quadrant with a 4-1 conference record and reinforced the Lady Wrangler’s impressive 14-3 overall season record.

“The Lady Wranglers are really playing together as a team,” head coach Trent Bowers said. “Everybody understands their role on the court and we all function as one.”

Lyman

The Lady Wranglers controlled the scoreboard in the first quarter, netting 18 points while holding the Lady Eagles to eight.

Leaving it all on the court in the second half, a fast and furious Pinedale offense tossed in 23 points to 15 from Lyman and Pinedale led by nearly twice the points, 41-23, at halftime.

Lyman attempted to turn the tables in the second half, outmaneuvering the Lady Wranglers in scoring by a single possession, 26-24. The Lady Eagles’ rally was too little, too late against a solid Lady Wrangler defense.

Junior Elyn Bowers led Pinedale in scoring against Lyman with 19 points. Sophomore Erica Wilson tallied 15 points, junior Gabby Rogers 13, sophomore Alyxis White nine and junior Mae McGuire seven. Junior Madeline Hawke and sophomore Claire Thonhoff joined the fray in the fourth quarter and each contributed a free throw.

White led on the boards with eight rebounds. Bowers delivered five assists, rustled four steals and made four blocks. On defense, White also totaled four steals and four blocks.

“Lyman is a tough opponent mentally and physically,” coach Bowers said. “We came out and played really well, though, hitting shots and pushing the ball. We played with a better defense and rebounded better. The girls played disciplined, unselfish basketball and the pieces fell into place.”

Lander

The Lady Wranglers soundly won the first quarter, 18-11. Lander rallied in the second quarter to outscore Pinedale by one possession, 9-7.

Pinedale maintained the initiative and led, 25-20, at halftime.

A point-for-point battle in the third quarter saw Lander net 14 points to 11 by Pinedale.

Refusing to yield the court, the Lady Wranglers rebounded in the fourth quarter to top Lander in scoring, 19-12.

Bowers set the pace for Pinedale in scoring against Lander with 24 points. Wilson netted 13 points, Rogers nine, White eight with a free throw from sophomore Charlotte Hawke. White and Bowers each tallied six rebounds. Bowers went 9-for-11 at the charity stripe while Rogers netted five of six free throws.

“We knew Lander would be tough,” Coach Bowers said. “They play really well at home and have beat each of their conference rivals. We played a strong first quarter but sweated in the second and third quarter. We didn’t shoot the ball as well, but found other ways to score and were efficient getting to the rim, particularly knocking down free throws.”

While Lander was “more of a battle” than Lyman, the game proved Pinedale can remain competitive in a neck-and-neck game to prevail.

“We can win close games where every possession counts,” Bowers added.