Lady 'Dogs defeat Braves 55-42 in Lakes Conference play Friday

(Sentinel photo by Roy Tucker) Le Mars' Erica Westhoff attempts to maintain her balance while saving the ball from bouncing out of bounds during Friday's game against Cherokee. [Click to enlarge]

The Le Mars girls basketball team collected a 55-42 Lakes Conference win over Cherokee on Friday night at Carey Gym to register its second win in the past three games.

"I thought we controlled the game defensively," Le Mars coach Barry Borchers said. "We pressed them and forced them into quite a few turnovers, which was good."

The Lady 'Dogs turned an 8-5 first quarter lead into a 23-14 advantage by the halftime break.

(Sentinel photo by Roy Tucker) Le Mars' Jess Arnold takes a shot during Friday's Lakes Conference win over Cherokee. [Click to enlarge]

Le Mars poured in 20 third-quarter points to lead 43-29 at the start of the final frame and Borchers said that his team maintained the lead in the fourth quarter.

Natalie Miller led the Lady Bulldogs with 14 points to go along with four assists and three steals.

"Natalie had a really nice game," Borchers said.

Erica Westhoff collected nine points, seven rebounds and four steals.

Alex Schuett added six rebounds, Carolyn Ahlers dished out three assists and Bailey Heidebrink grabbed three steals for Le Mars (5-14, 2-11).

The Lady 'Dogs face the Braves again on Monday, this time at Cherokee, as Lakes Conference play wraps up.