Lady Cougars fall on Monday to Chargers

CRAWFORDSVILLE --The North Montgomery girls' basketball team welcomed North Putnam to its floor for a Monday night showdown. The Chargers ended up on top despite a very slow start, 46-31.

Both teams struggled shooting in the game as evident by the low-scoring contest. North Montgomery (7-9, 2-1 SAG) shot just 32 percent while North Putnam (3-13, 0-4 WIC) shot just a tick above that at 38 percent.

The Chargers handled the ball well in the game but the Cougars did not. The Chargers had 10 turnovers while the Cougars turned the ball over 21 times.

North Putnam had its fair share of offensive boards in the game pulling in seven, which led to five second-chance points.

Both teams got into foul trouble which hurt them while trying to run their game plan. Key players on both squads including two starters on each team had three fouls apiece by the midway point of the third quarter.

North Putnam was led by senior Taylor Nauert with 17 points, which led the team. Nauert was followed by sophomore Bronwyn Spencer who had seven points.

The Cougars made a late charge after making a few shots but when they put the full-court press on, it was easily broken by the Chargers, leading to easy layups.

North Putnam played well on defense even though it allowed 46 points by forcing 10 turnovers and holding North Montgomery to a low shooting percentage. These are things North Putnam can build on for the rest of the season.

North Putnam will be in action next on Thursday, Jan. 14 when the Cougars travel to Monrovia.

At North Montogomery

North Montgomery 7 14 13 12 -- 46

North Putnam 2 9 6 14 -- 31

North Putnam (3-13, 0-4 WIC):Taylor Nauert 6-10 3-3 17, Bronwyn Spencer 3-5 1-4 7, Emilee Henninger 1-4 1-2 3, Mia Runnells 1-7 0-0 2, Madisyn Smith 1-5 0-0 2, Lindi Parent 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 12-32 2-8 31.

North Montgomery (7-9, 2-1 SAG): Cheyanne Warren 5-14 5-6 15, Becca Adams 4-9 2-2 10, Kelsey Sabens 3-6 3-4 9, Lauren McClaskey 1-8 3-4 5, Katharyn Sabens 1-3 1-2 3, Caroline McClaskey 1-5 0-0 2, Taylor Dyson 0-1 2-2 2, Joy Shirar 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 15-47 16-20 46.

3-point shooting: N. Putnam 2-8 (Nauert 2), N. Montgomery 0-6.

Rebounding: N. Putnam 25 (Henniger 6, Nauert 6, Spencer 6, Parent 4, Duncan 1). N. Montgomery 29 (Adams 6, Warren 6, Ka. Sabens 5, C. McClaskey 3, L. McClaskey 2, Dyson 1 Ke. Sabens 1, Shirar 1).

Turnovers: N. Putnam 21, N. Montgomery 10.