Esko downed the host Pequot Lakes Patriots 66-56 in non-conference girls' basketball action on Saturday, Jan. 3.
A big difference in the game came at the free-throw line where the Eskomos made 28 of 40 shots while the Patriots made just 10 of 19.
"We just didn't play very well as we had way too many turnovers, and we didn't shoot well from the floor or line," said Pequot Lakes assistant coach Kate Dale, "but the difference was that (Esko) made 18 more free throws than we did."
Haley Wiebolt had 13 points and Brittny Bzdok added 12, including making three 3-point shots while the Eskomos were led by sophomore Ava Gonsorowski with 22 points.
The Patriots made and four of nine on 3-point attempts. Corina Ruud had 10 rebounds and blocked three shots.
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Pequot Lakes rallied for seven straight points and a 13-7 lead midway through the first half sparked by Bzdok's 3-point basket. Esko stormed back with a 16-3 run, which concluded with Bailey Mudek's 3-pointer to make it 24-16. The Eskomos' Ashley Bergerson nailed a 3-point shot just before the halftime buzzer to make it 31-21.
The Patriots were guilty of too many turnovers in the second half, but they did pull to within 50-46 on a three-point play by Corina Ruud. But Esko held on by making 13 of 15 free throws down the stretch.
Pequot Lakes, 7-3 overall, is scheduled to play at Crosby-Ironton in a Mid-State Conference game at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9.
The Pequot Lakes junior varsity girls downed Esko 59-36 after leading just 29-24 at intermission. Maggie Miska led the Patriots with 25 points, Karlie Skog added 13, Olivia Lane six and Elsa Headlee and Molly Dotty five each.
The Pequot Lakes C-team led by six at the half, but it took a layup by Quinn Kratochvil with 2.5 seconds left to clinch a 33-32 win. Bre Sewall led the Patriots with 12 points.
Esko 31 35 - 66
Pequot Lakes 21 35 - 56
ESKO
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Kailee Kiminski 3, Mandi Dincau 4, Selena Shady 2, Bailey Mudek 7, Ava Gonsorowski 22, Karlie Kulas 12, Ashley Bergerson 9, Molly Trapp 7. FT 28-40 (70 percent).
PEQUOT LAKES
Caitie Ryan 5, Haley Wiebolt 13, Brittny Bzdok 12, Kelsey Hart 6, Emilee Buell 5, Corina Ruud 8, Laura Squires 3, Maggie Miska 2, Sam Littman 2. FG 17-47 (36 percent), FT 10-19 (53 percent). 3-pointers: 4-9 (44 percent)