(Lander, WY) – The Lander Tigers secured conference victories in both the girls and boys matchups against the Mountain View Buffaloes on Friday night at the Bob Carey Memorial Fieldhouse.
The Lander girls delivered a 48-40 upset over Mountain View, the top team in the 3A West. LVHS girls’ Head Coach Drew Powell praised his team for executing their game plan, particularly on the boards.
“We knew limiting their offensive rebounds was key, and the team stuck to the plan perfectly,” Powell said.
Daegan Reinhardt and Zoe Mulholland played pivotal roles in keeping Mountain View’s potent offense in check with strong rebounding efforts. Offensively, Lander’s scoring was balanced, with Daisy Goklish leading the way with 16 points, followed by Breana Lincoln’s 11. Reinhardt contributed 8 points and Hayden Goggles added 7.
Despite a late push by the Lady Buffaloes, Lander maintained their composure, working to break Mountain View’s press and hitting key free throws to secure the win.
Tigers’ Boys Hold On in a Nail-Biter
The boys contest provided an exciting cap to the night, as Lander edged Mountain View 58-56 in a game that came down to the final seconds. The Tigers led for much of the game, but the Buffaloes’ persistent comeback kept fans of both teams engaged.
With the score tied 56-56 in the closing seconds, Peyton Bell emerged as the difference-maker. After a missed free throw, Bell converted a put-back to give Lander a two-point lead with just 6.6 seconds remaining. Mountain View’s Dash Madsen put forward a great effort with a chance to win the game, but his contested shot fell short as the buzzer sounded.
The Tigers’ scoring effort was led by sophomore Paxon Hollingshead, who tallied 14 points. Senior Noah St. Clair added 12 points, while Bell and Gavin Romer each chipped in 11. Romer’s inside presence was critical throughout the game, though he fouled out with several minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The victories marked a positive step forward for Lander basketball, with both teams earning important wins in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The Lady Tigers showcased their ability to upset a strong opponent, while the boys proved their resilience in a high-pressure situation.
Lander’s teams travel to Lyman on Thursday. Live streaming video will be available at County10.com, with radio coverage on KOVE 1330 AM/107.7 FM.