Prep Girls Basketball: Lady Pirates edge Swanville 44-40 in opener

Verndale shot 26 percent (16-for-62) from the floor but still managed to edge the visiting Swanville Bulldogs 44-40 during the season opening, non-conference game Friday night.

The Lady Pirates outscored the Bulldogs 21-16 in the second half after trailing by a point (24-23) at the break. Verndale made 66 percent (8-for-12) of their free-throw shots to pull out the victory.

Lizzy Yungbauer notched a team-high 14 points with Teresa Moenkedick adding 12 for the Lady Pirates. Elizabeth Johnson contributed seven points and Jordanna Schluttner had five while leading the team in rebounds with 10.

Swanville shot a cold 24 percent (16-for-67) from the floor and was led by Marissa Evens, who scored a game-high 18 points in the loss.

Verndale (1-0) heads to Upsala for a 2:30 p.m. matinee Saturday (today).

Swanville at Verndale on December 3
Lady Pirates 44, Bulldogs 40
Swanville 24 16—40
Verndale 23 21—44
Verndale Stats
Lizzy Yungbauer 14, Teresa Moenkedick 12, Elizabeth Johnson 7, Jordanna Schluttner 5, Megan Richter 4, Jenny Swenson 2
Swanville Stats
Marissa Evans 18