Benton breaks through with first win at girls’ state basketball tournament

DES MOINES — One-and-done had been done before. Maybe overdone.

Not this time. Introduce yourself to Benton’s breakthrough bunch.

Fourth-ranked Benton Community assembled an early 16-0 run, and needed just about all of it. The Bobcats held off No. 5 Des Moines Christian, 40-34, in a Class 3A quarterfinal at the girls’ state basketball tournament Monday evening at Wells Fargo Arena.

“We stayed calm at the end,” senior Jenna Twedt said. “We didn’t get too high or too low. Good teams are going to make a run at you; it’s how you respond that determines how you’re going to come out.”

For the first time in their five state trips, the Bobcats (22-3) came out winners. As a reward, they’ll get a third meeting with county rival Vinton-Shellsburg.

The 10th-ranked Vikettes (18-7) shocked No. 1 Estherville-Lincoln Central, 54-46.

Benton won the first two meetings. The third tips at 1:30 Thursday afternoon.

“I’m not surprised,” Benton Coach Jeff Zittergruen said. “They’re a great team. They defend well. They’re a veteran crew, tough minded.”

The Bobcats stung Des Moines Christian (21-4) early, turning a 7-5 margin into something much more comfortable, 23-5.

“Our shots were falling,” McKenna Kramer said. “We were able to find some areas in their zone, and we were able to get moving.”

Kramer’s 3-pointer gave the Bobcats their largest lead, 26-7. Des Moines Christian wasn’t finished.

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Girls’ state basketball photos: Benton vs. Des Moines Christian in 3A quarterfinals

The Lions scored the first six points of the second half, then got within 29-22 on Tori Burton’s layup with 2:40 left in the third quarter.

A four-point possession (Emma Townsley free throw, offensive rebound, Townsley 3-pointer) pushed Benton’s lead to 33-22, and it was 36-25.

DMC had one last run, closing to 38-34 on Paige Hilgerson’s drive with 2:20 to go, but Twedt’s two free throws at 0:28 closed the door for good.

Twedt, who will play for Kirkwood Community College next year, led all scorers with 16 points. Townsley added 10.

The Bobcats committed only five turnovers all game.

Maren Miller paced DMC with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Benton Community 40, Des Moines Christian 34

Class 3A State Quarterfinal, at Des Moines

DES MOINES CHRISTIAN (34): Kaitlyn Mumm 3-10 2-2 9, Maren Miller 3-6 4-6 10, Tori Burton 1-3 0-2 2, Paige Hilgerson 2-5 0-0 4, Abby Hall 4-6 0-0 9, Meg Muller 0-4 0-0 0, Reagan Zimmer 0-0 0-0 0, Megan McGuire 0-1 0-0 0, Etta Fish 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 13-35 6-10 34.

BENTON COMMUNITY (40): Emma Townsley 3-7 1-2 10, Piper Nelson 0-2 0-0 0, McKenna Kramer 2-6 0-0 6, Jenna Twedt 6-19 3-6 16, Zoey Junge 1-5 0-0 3, Addison Phillips 0-1 0-0 0, Aubrey Kelly 2-3 0-0 5. Totals 14-43 4-8 40.

Des Moines Christian 5 6 14 9 — 34

Benton Community 17 9 10 4 — 40

3-point goals: DMC 2-15 (Mumm 1-6, Burton 0-1, Hilgerson 0-2, Hall 1-2, Muller 0-4), Benton 8-24 (Townsley 3-6, Kramer 2-6, Twedt 1-6, Junge 1-3, Phillips 0-1, Kelly 1-2). Team fouls: DMC 10, Benton 9. Fouled out: none. Rebounds: DMC 27 (Miller 13), Benton 28 (Nelson 8). Assists: DMC 6 (Hilgerson 4), Benton 8 (Townsley, Phillips 2). Steals: DMC 1 (Miller), Solon 3 (three with 1). Turnovers: DMC 9, Benton 5.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com