Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs girls basketball struggled early against Battle Mountain on Friday night. The solution was No. 32 Tara Spitellie.

The senior pocketed a career-high seven 3-pointers on her way to 23 points as the Sailors were able to pull away from Battle Mountain, 56-33.

In the third quarter, the Sailors (6-6, 1-1) outscored the Huskies, 17-4, with three more 3-pointers from Spitellie and balanced scoring from Hannah Moore and Katie Lettunich, who finished the night with nine and eight points, respectively.

“Offensively in the first half, we were not in the flow,” Steamboat coach John Ameen said. “Credit to (Battle Mountain), they get after it on defense. We did not respond well. We got looks in spots, but it wasn’t consistent. That third quarter was more like what we can do.”

In that third quarter, the Sailors (6-6, 1-1) outscored the Huskies 17-4 with three more 3s from Spitellie and balanced scoring from Hannah Moore and Katie Lettunich, who finished the night with nine and eight points, respectively.

For Battle Mountain, it was a good showing against a league opponent. Kenia Olivas had 19 points for the Huskies.

“I think the girls have a little more confidence,” Battle Mountain coach Andrew Schmid said. “The girls are doing things the right way, especially in the first half. They doing things right. That’s just what we need to do. We need to put together four quarters. That No. 32, if she doesn’t have seven 3s, then it’s a different game.”

The Sailors and Huskies are right back at it today. Steamboat hosts Eagle Valley at 2 and 3:30 p.m., while the Huskies are at Craig for Moffat County at 4 and 5:30 p.m.