FAULKTON – Backed by a 21-point effort from Anika Mueller and another 18 points from Carley Cotton, the Faulkton girls’ basketball program notched a 55-17 Lake Region Conference victory over Aberdeen Christian Tuesday evening.

The host Trojans did not shoot the ball particularly well from the floor, hitting at a 34 percent clip, but bolstered their scoring efforts with a stellar performance at the free throw line where they were 18-for-23. Cotton, in particular, led the way in that category, scoring eight of her 18 points from the stripe on just 11 attempts. Meuller, similarly, was 7-for-8.

That, plus a defensive effort that held the visiting Knights’ squad to just five first-half points boosted the Trojans to the victory.

“The girls did really well with breaking the press this game, be we still can’t get our offense going,” said Christian coach Andre Cobbs. “At times they were rolling and doing what we wanted, then we either got into foul trouble or regressed back into a playless offense.””

Sophia Eichler had nine points to lead the way for the Knights. Jolie Fogarty finished with five points and five rebounds, while Erika Moulsoff added three points.

“This team really does well when they can run through their plays and progressions,” Cobbs said. “Hopefully next week, we can put it all together and move forward. We are stuck in first gear and need a jolt to get us into second.”

Christian (0-8) will head to Waubay-Summit on Thursday before returning home to host Great Plains Lutheran on Saturday. 

Faulkton (6-4) will host Ipswich on Thursday.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (0-8): Jolie Fogarty 2 1-2 5, Sophia Eichler 3 3-6 9, Erika Moulsoff 1 1-2 3. Totals 6-31 5-10 17.

FAULKTON (6-4): Anika Mueller 7 7-8 21, Claire Cotton 1 0-0 2, Presleigh Martinmaas 3 2-2 8, Anna Aesoph 0 1-2 1, Carley Cotton 5 8-11 18, Brooklyn Kast 1 0-0 3, Brooklyn Mueller 1 0-0 2. Totals 18-53 18-23 55.

Aberdeen Christian 5 5 11 17

Faulkton 18 34 49 55

3-point field goals – Kast. Total fouls – Aberdeen Christian 14; Faulkton 11. Rebounds – Aberdeen Christian 12 (Fogarty 5, Eichler 4); Faulkton 26 (Carley. Cotton 7, Martinmaas 5). Assists – Aberdeen Christian 5 (Alicia Davis 1, Fogarty 1, Eichler 1, Moulsoff 1, Arianna Johnson 1). Turnovers – Aberdeen Christian 21; Faulkton 14. Blocks – Faulkton1 (Martinmaas). Steals – ACS 9 (Fogarty 7); Faulkton 16 (Martinmaas 4, Carley Cotton 4).