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After logging hundreds of miles and battling deeper and often higher-caliber opponents, the Vermilion Ironhawks finally broke through.
A big third quarter was the difference Saturday as the community college women’s basketball team won for just the second time this season.
That victory came as part of the DQ Grill and Chill Classic as the hosts salvaged a split for the weekend and defeated Riverland 62-51.
Freshman Amyia Yunker came off the bench and scored a game-high 24 points - half from three-point range - as the Ironhawks ended a long losing streak and improved to 2-7 for the winter.
“It was important,” head coach Ryan Zyla said of the win. “Both because of the grind we’ve been on and to continue to progress and most importantly to get a home win. That first weekend at home, and the culture we’re trying to build. I think it was more of a location and to finish out that long stretch of games.”
Vermilion beat the Blue Devils easily when the two teams met earlier in the month, but Saturday’s rematch was a closer affair.
The teams were tied at 23 after a back-and-forth first half, but the Ironhawks picked up the pace in the third quarter and opened up a cushion.
Yunker drained four three-point baskets in the contest, while fellow freshman Tamia Cahee finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Freshman Angie Schuchardt recorded a double-double with 11 points and a chance to build a lead.
Riverland clung to a 16-14 lead late in the half and went on a mini-spurt to close things out, taking a 33-25 lead into the locker room.
By the midway point of the second half, Riverland gained control and began to find its mark from the outside.
The Blue Devils hit the bulk of their 15 three-point baskets in the second half and led by as many as 22 points before winning by 18.
Christian Campbell hit four triples, finished with 17 points and added eight rebounds for the winners, who improved to 6-0, and teammate Buai Dopp added 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Vermilion’s Tyson Rogers and Hamsa Ali finished with 11 points apiece, and Mudia Gbowa contributed nine points and five rebounds.
The Ironhawks shot just 33 percent from the floor and were outrebounded 43-30 by the more physical visitors.
In the opening round, Williston State built a 49-29 lead by halftime and never looked back.
Rex Stirling poured in 27 points and added 10 rebounds for the winners and teammate Eden Hobbs was next with 17 points. Three other Tetons scored in double figures and Williston State outrebounded Vermilion by a better than two-to-one margin.
Vermilion’s Judah Pickens scored 10 points, while Jaylen Shelly added eight points and Avery Wells finished with seven.
The Ironhawks are home until a Dec. 6-7 home series with Fergus Falls and St. Cloud Tech.
