Guided by freshman Bryn Beckman’s 15-point, 12-rebound double-double, the Rainier girls basketball team improved to 5-1 in league play and beat Toledo on the road, 40-29, Tuesday night.
The Mountaineers (10-3, 5-1 C2BL) got off to a slow offensive start, and trailed by four at the end of the first quarter, but thanks to a lockdown defense that held the Riverhawks to no more than seven points in the ensuing three quarters, Rainier got another league victory under its belt.
“We had a big third quarter,” Mountaineers coach Brandon Eygabroad said. “We’re turning into a second half team. We locked down defensively, especially late when it mattered.”
Outside Beckman, Faith Boesch was the only other Rainier player in double figures with 10 points. The Mountaineers head to Onalaska for a rematch with their league rival on Thursday.
The Riverhawks didn’t have any players in double figures, but were led by Greenlee Clark’s seven points and team-high eight rebounds, and a tenacious defensive effort in the first half that helped them build a small lead. Abbie Marcil added seven boards.
“We had open shots but just couldn’t put the ball in the bucket,” Toledo coach Randy Wood said. “The effort was there, it was just a tough night shooting. They all played well.”
They’ll look to rebound against Adna at home on Thursday.
