Kulm, ND (NewsDakota.com) – The Oakes Tornadoes came into Kulm looking for a statement win and they earned it with a strong 2nd half to take down the #9 Edgeley/Kulm/Montpelier Rebels by a score of 46-39.

The game started with both teams replicating the weather outside, cold. The combined shooting for both teams in the 1st quarter was 5/20 from the field. The Rebels had the advantage however as Libby Mathern dropped 2 treys on the quarter giving EKM the 11-8 lead through 1. The Tornadoes would bounce back in the 2nd quarter as they’d shoot 4/8 from the field as Kassidy Jackson would get 5 on the quarter and Jocelyn Quandt would get 4 to bring Oakes to cut the lead down. EKM would do just enough with Betsy Huber dropping a 2 ball the end to give them a 21-19 lead at the half.

The Tornadoes came out firing in the 3rd quarter with Kassidy Jackson dropping 2 3-balls and Isabelle Friedt got 6 on the quarter as well to help lead Oakes to a 33-32 lead through 3. In the 4th Oakes shut down the the Rebels offense as they’d only allow 3 field goals in the quarter shutting down Libby Mathern completely in the final frame. Brianna Schmitz would drop 8 in the quarter as well with 4 big free throws to give clinch the Tornados 46-39 victory.

The leading all around scorer was Libby Mathern with 16 going 5/12 from the field and 4/5 from the stripe. Next was Kassidy Jackson who had 13 on the night going 4/10 from the field and 2/3 from the line. Jaelyn Bertsch (11) and Brianna Schmitz (10) also had double digit nights.

The Bank North Player of the Game was Kassidy Jackson.

Next up for both teams is the Stutsman County Shootout. Oakes will play Kidder County while EKM will play #1 Central McLean and Washburn.