ELY—An impressive Timberwolves rally fizzled in the final ten seconds here on Tuesday, as the final buzzer sounded before the Wolves could get off a potentially game-winning shot. The miscue spoiled an otherwise strong second half of play as Ely rebounded from a big first half deficit on their way to a 53-52 loss to Mesabi East. The loss drops the Wolves’ season record to 1-2.
Despite the loss, the Wolves posted some impressive statistics in the contest. Lydia Schultz topped the scoring chart with 15 points, while Audrey Kallberg was close behind with 13, along with eight rebounds. Amelia Penke added ten points, while Clare Thomas tallied nine points along with seven assists and four steals. Zoe Mackenzie led the way defensively with nine rebounds and four steals.
The Wolves notched their first win of the season on Nov. 26, as they ran over Two Harbors 56-30. Schultz and Penke dominated scoring in the contest, as Schultz poured in 18 points while Penke connected on three treys enroute to 17 total points. Penke also notched 11 boards for the double-double, while Schultz added eight steals and four assists. Maija Mattson and Gretta Lowe added six points apiece to the Wolves’ effort. Mackenzie added seven rebounds and four steals for Ely, while Mattson and Lowe added five boards apiece.
The Wolves struggled offensively in their season-opening tilt against Chisholm, falling to the Bluestreaks 52-32 in a game in which no Ely player reached double digits.
Penke and Mackenzie led in scoring with six points apiece, while Thomas and Schultz each added five points. Mattson and Lowe contributed four points apiece. Mattson also led in rebounds with seven, while Mackenzie posted six.