HAMILTON — Mecca Bullchild scored 19 of her game-high 24 points in the second half Thursday, and Browning overcame a 24-23 halftime deficit for a 59-44 win over Butte Central.
The game was the opener of the Western A Divisional girls’ basketball tournament on the Dale Berry Court.
The Maroons head to loser-out action. They will meet Polson 12:30 p.m. Friday. The top five teams move on to the Class AA State tournament in Missoula. Hamilton beat Polson 59-19. (Bracket)
Browning took a 42-37 lead into the fourth quarter and broke the game open in the final 8 minutes.
Cara Guardipee added 10 points for Browning (15-4), which heads to Friday’s 6:30 p.m. semifinal. Sugar Spoonhunter and Jerel Whitegrass each scored six.
Brooke Badovinac poured in 21 points to lead the Maroons (14-8). Sofee Thatcher netted 13, and Ella Moodry scored 10.
Brenna Foley, Payton Hartwick and Mollie Drew also contributed for the Maroons.
BUTTE CENTRAL (14-8) — Brenna Foley 0 0-0 0, Payton Hartwick 0 0-0 0, Sofee Thatcher 4 5-11 13, Brooke Badovinac 7 7-10 21, Ella Moodry 3 4-6 10, Mollie Drew 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 16-27 44.
BROWNING (15-4) — Natalie St. Goddard 0 0-0 0, Mecca Bullchild 10 3-3 24, Amari Calf Robe 1 0-0 2, Jerel Whitegrass 3 0-0 6, Brailey Racine 2 0-3 4, Sugar Spoonhunter 2 12 6, Kinsley Bird 1 0-2 2, Cara Guardipee 4 0-0 10, Kalci Connelly 1 0-0 2, Tashhlynn Lazy Boy 0 3-4 3, Lish Spoonhunter 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 7-14 59.
Butte Central 10 14 13 7 — 44
Browning 13 10 19 17 — 59
3-point goals — BC 0, Browning 4 (Guardipee 2, Bullchild, S. Spoonhunter). Fouls — 10, Browning 19. Fouled out — none.
