Sidney Girls Hold Down Yuma 30-27

Sidney's Lady Raider basketball team traveled south to Yuma, Colo., on Saturday for a non-conference matchup against the Yuma Lady Indians. Yuma entered the game with an eight game win streak and an 8-and-2 record, and the Lady Raiders knew they were in for a tough contest.

The Lady Raider's defense did not disappoint, shutting down a Yuma offense which had been averaging nearly fifty points per game by holding the the Lady Indians to just three points in the first quarter, then shutting them out in the second quarter.

"We played a really good defensive game on Saturday. We were able to slow down their best two offensive players.", said Sidney head coach Tyler Shaw.

The Yuma senior tandem of Cody Robinson and Chasey Blach were held to just 25 points between them, accounting for all but two of the team's total output, and most importantly did not start to score until the fourth quarter.

The low-scoring contest suited the Lady Raiders well, with their defensive pressure forcing turnovers and keeping the Lady Indians out of rhythm. The Lady Raiders held Yuma scoring down until the end of the third quarter, when Sidney had built up a 23-to-11 lead. Yuma fought back in the fourth, getting their offense going and putting up 16 points in the quarter. But Sidney scored seven of their own, which was enough to hold on for the the three point, 30-to-27 victory.

"Yuma eventually got their offense going in the 4th quarter, but we were able to make some plays down the stretch and hold on," said Shaw.

Senior Karly Sylvester led the Sidney scoring with seven points coming off the bench. Sidney next travels to Chadron to face the Lady Cardinals on Thursday.