• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Craig girls pull away for win

SUN PRAIRIE — Following the theme of the day, Janesville Craig was late to get things cranked up Thursday in its Big Eight Conference girls basketball opener.

After arriving late to Sun Prairie due to the first snowfall of the season, which made for an 8:05 p.m. tip-off and scrambling to line up for the national anthem, Craig also took awhile to find a rhythm once the game finally started.

But after coughing up seven first-quarter turnovers, the Cougars settled down to outscore Sun Prairie 45-22 over the final three quarters to earn the 55-30 victory.

"I thought we settled down," Marsden said. "But what I am happiest with is our defense. We have only given up 46 points in two games. That is pretty solid. I thought that was the one thing that let us down last year and poor shooting and we have improved both."

For the game, Craig made half of its shots (20 of 40) and had only five turnovers over the final three quarters. Meanwhile, the Cardinals were 11 of 40 from the field (28 percent).

Anne Morgan had 13 points to lead Craig (2-0). Amanda Hamilton and Kelsey Kennedy each added eight points, as 11 players scored for the Cougars.

Michigan Tech recruit Paige Albi had 13 points for Sun Prairie (0-1).

"You could definitely tell Craig has played a game and we haven't," Sun Prairie coach Liz Hrodey said. "But Craig is experienced and has been playing together all summer and all fall. They have made that leap."

Whitney Oliver broke the Cougars out of their funk with a lay-up at the first-quarter buzzer to start a 17-5 run, which included three-pointers by Amanda Hamilton and Taylor Storbakken to break the game open. Craig closed out the half on an 11-1 run, started by Emily Hinman's lay-up to break a 12-12 tie.

After securing a 25-13 halftime lead, the Cougars never allowed their lead shrink below double digits. Morgan had six of her 13 points in the third quarter scoring inside, while the Cougars had five three-pointers to spread out the Cardinal defense.

"We got them wore down a little in the second quarter with our press," Madsen said. "With all the kids we play, its helps us with our press and with our fast break."

CRAIG 55, SUN PRAIRIE 30

Craig (55)—Smith, 0-1-1; W. Oliver, 3-0-6; Hamilton, 2-2-8; Kennedy, 3-2-8; Storbakken, 2-0-6; Sroda, 1-0-2; Legreid, 1-0-3; Morgan, 5-3-13; Straw, 1-2-4; Marshick, 1-0-2; Hinman, 1-0-2. Totals: 20-10-55.

Sun Prairie (30)—Rodenkirch, 2-0-5; Bartow, 1-0-2; Stephan, 0-1-1; Albi, 4-5-13, Baldwin, 2-1-5; Hoffmann, 1-0-2; Krueger, 1-0-2. Totals: 11-7-30.

Craig 10 15 11 19—55

Sun Prairie 8 5 8 9—30

Three-point goals—Craig 5 (Hamilton 2, Storbakken 2, Legreid), Sun Prairie 1 (Rodenkirch). Free throws missed—Craig 9, Sun Prairie 6. Total fouls—Craig 16, Sun Prairie 15.

Sophomores—Craig 56, Sun Prairie 16.