PERHAM -- Freshman Maria Rutten came off the bench to lead the Yellowjackets in scoring with 15 points, while pulling down a team-high eight rebounds as the Yellowjackets defeated Menahga 58-52 for their first victory of the season.
Perham was able to minimize turnovers giving the ball up only nine times in the game, improving in an area that had plagued them through a 14-game losing streak to start the season.
Sophomore Brittany Miller handled the ball and much of the Braves' defensive pressure.
"(Brittany) did more than just not turn it over, she attacked the basket and made plays, accounting for many buckets," Head Coach TJ Super said.
The lead fluctuated in favor of either team by six points throughout. Perham took a 28-26 lead into the half when Tina Scheidecker drained a half court shot at the buzzer after Perham got a defensive stop with 3.3 seconds left on the clock.
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"Miller threw a long pass up to Tina and she turned and heaved a pretty good looking shot that went in and had the team pumped up at the break and ahead on the scoreboard," said Super.
In the second half, both teams knocked down clutch shots at crucial times but the Yellowjackets won the turnover battle, the rebounding battle, and the free throw battle to pull out the win.
Seniors Emily Tobkin and Alli Smith made clutch free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.
Menahga's Tara Cleveland led all scorers with 24 points. Her teammate Jenny Skoog scored 17.
Perham had three players in double-figures including Rutten's 15 points. Miller and Tobkin each scored 10.
"Tobkin contributed greatly on the defensive end in the second half holding Tara Cleveland to just one bucket while she was guarding her."
Perham's next game is at Park Rapids Thursday evening.
MEN 26 26 - 52
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PER 28 30 - 58
Scoring:
PER - Rutten 15, Miller 10, Tobkin 10, Scheidecker 8, Erickson 6, Smith 5, Lockhart 4.
MEN- Cleveland 24, J. Skoog 17, Pihbja 7, Carlson 4.
