Reivers topple T-Birds, 82-64

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — A 20-4 run over the final 5:31 of the game propelled the Iowa Western Community College Reivers to an 82-64 victory over the Cloud County Thunderbirds Saturday afternoon.
Trailing by as many as 11 points, 58-47, early in the fourth quarter, Cloud County closed the gap to 62-60 when sophomore Lydia Ostenson knocked down a jump shot with 5:31 on the clock.
The T-Birds would manage just a pair of baskets the rest of the way as Iowa Western pulled away to the win.
Cloud County falls to 3-3 on the season, while Iowa Western improves to 2-4.
The two teams will meet again on January 2 on the T-Birds’ home floor.
Leading 55-47 after three quarters of play, the Reivers got a three-point basket by Jaiden Morris 33 seconds into the final period to go up 58-47.
A three-point basket by freshman Jacy Dalinghaus and a bucket by Maeson Dewey pulled Cloud County within six points, 58-52.
Dalinghaus led all scorers with 25 points. She was 7 of 13 from the field, including three of four from three-point range, and 8 of 13 from the free throw line.
Haven Hamilton, making her first start since joining the team just last week, hit a jumper, and the T-Birds were down just 58-54 with 7:37 remaining in the game.
Hamilton scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Iowa Western would push the lead to six points, 62-56.
Baskets by Hamilton and then Ostenson made it a 62-60 game.
The T-Birds then went cold.
Scoring six straight points, the Reivers upped the lead to 68-60.
Ostenson scored with 3:39 on the clock to make it 68-62. She was fouled on the play, but missed the free throw.
Cloud County was just 18 of 35 from the line for 51 percent.
Morris and Nyah Morris-Nelson scored for Iowa Western, and it was a 72-62 game.
Dalinghaus made a jumper to get the T-Birds within eight points, 72-64, with 2:58 to play.
Cloud County would not score again.
Ostenson finished with eight points for the T-Birds.
Morris led four Iowa Western players in double figures with 22 points.
Sommer Blakemore scored 14 points. Morris-Nelson chipped in 13 points and Hayley Berfield scored 11.
Cloud County trailed nearly the entire first quarter.
A three by Dalinghaus gave the T-Birds a 17-16 lead.
Iowa Western answered with a three by LaShawn Sweet, and led 19-17 heading into the second period.
It was a 21-18 Iowa Western lead when Dewey hit a three and LaKya Leslie made a free throw to put Cloud County up 22-21.
It would be the last lead of the game for the T-Birds.
Iowa Western was up 40-30 at halftime.
Cloud County would climb back to within eight points, 55-47, heading into the final 10 minutes.
After falling behind by 11 points early in the final period, the T-Birds would battle back to make it a two-point game before running out of steam.
Cloud County will host the Bethany College junior varsity at 6:00 tonight and South Plains College at 6 p.m. Friday.