RAPID CITY – The game wasn’t pretty, as the two teams committed 46 turnovers between them, but the Wall Lady Eagles grabbed their 20th victory of the season with a 62-59 victory over the James Valley Christian Lady Vikings Friday in consolation action at the Monument in Rapid City.

The Lady Eagles jumped out early on the back of senior Alexis Stephan’s three and a foul shot after she had only one point in Wall’s opening round loss. At the first television break, Wall led 7-4.

The Lady Vikings came out of the break and put up the first five points to take a lead. Wall senior Paige Kjerstad was aggressive to the hoop to get multiple baskets and give the Lady Eagles back the lead, then Stephan hit a jumper at the end of the quarter to push the lead out to 18-13.

Alexa Goertz was fouled on a three-point shot at the buzzer, hitting two of three to end the first quarter with Wall up 18-15.

Both teams struggled with fouls and turnovers, leading to a low-scoring second quarter. A steal and layup by Kaylie Robinson of JVC knotted the game 23-23 with three minutes left in the first half.

The two teams went back and forth the rest of the first quarter, with a Robinson three at the end of the half coming up short, leading to a 29-29 tie at the half.

The two teams traded blows to open the second half, heading to a timeout with three minutes left in the third quarter with Wall up 38-37. Robinson picked up her fourth foul with one minute remaining in the third, and Wall took advantage to push out to a 45-41 lead heading into the final period.

Stephan nailed a three a minute into the fourth to push the Wall lead to 50-43. Addison Bartholow then picked up her fourth foul with 6:23 left in the game. A basket by Daril Frandsen in the lane brought JVC back within three at 51-48 as the team played through foul trouble.

Robinson fouled out with 4:33 left in the fourth quarter as the leading scorer for the Lady Vikings at the time. A pair of Addyson Knight free throws got JVC within one, but Bailey Cerney then hit a three for Wall with three minutes remaining to push the Lady Eagle lead back out to 56-52.

A three by Goertz at the final buzzer brought James Valley closer, but Wall advanced to the consolation championship with a 62-59 win.

Wall moves to 20-5 behind 20 points and seven rebounds from Paige Kjerstad. Stephan added 12 points and Rhea Tucker chipped in 11.

The Lady Vikings put four players in double figures, but fall to 16-8. Robinson led JVC with 17 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Goertz added 13 points and also grabbed seven rebounds.
Bartholow netted 11 points and Rhayonna Hood chipped in 10 points and dished out four assists.

The Lady Vikings will play for seventh place at noon Mountain Time today.

James Valley Christian 15 29 41 59
Wall 18 29 45 62

James Valley Christian (16-8): Addyson Knight 0 2-2 2, Daril Frandsen 3 0-0 6, Rhayonna Hood 4 2-5 10, Kaylie Robinson 6 4-4 17, Addison Bartholow 5 1-2 11, Alexa Goertz 3 6-7 13. Totals: 21 15-20 59.

Wall (20-5): Nora Dinger 2 2-6 6, Paige Kjerstad 7 4-6 20, Rhea Tucker 4 3-4 11, Bailey Cerney 3 0-0 8, Faith Frink 2 1-2 5, Allie Kjerstad 0 0-2 0, Alexis Stephan 4 1-1 12. Totals: 22 11-21 62.

FG: JVC - 21/41 51%; W - 22/64 34%. 3-pt FG: JVC 2/11 (Robinson, Goertz); W 7/26 (Stephan 3, PKjerstad 2, Cerney 2). Rebounds: JVC 37 (Robinson, Goertz 7), W 39 (PKjerstad 7). Assists: JVC 7 (Hood 4), W 9 (Dinger, Tucker 3). Steals: JVC 7 (Robinson 4), W 10 (PKjerstad 3). Turnovers: JVC 27, W 19. Fouls: JVC 20 (Robinson out), W 18.