In a high-stakes battle on the hardwood, the Ballard women's basketball team clashed with Gilbert in an intense basketball showdown at Gilbert on Tuesday night. With both teams hungry for a crucial win to bolster their records, the game was packed with suspense and excitement from start to finish.

The Bombers came out strong in the first quarter, establishing an early lead with precise shooting and solid defense. Led by standout performances from Raegan Loewe and Alliyah Thompson, the Bombers capitalized on their opportunities and finished the quarter ahead with a score of 16-9.

However, the Tigers refused to back down, mounting a comeback in the second quarter. With renewed energy and determination, the Tigers clawed their way back into the game, outscoring the Bombers and narrowing the gap to just two points heading into halftime, with the score at 21-20 in favor of Ballard.

The third quarter saw both teams trading blows, with neither side able to gain a significant advantage. Megan Rowedder and Kayci Rigby stepped up for the Bombers, while Grace Grundmeyer provided valuable contributions off the bench. Despite their efforts, the Tigers matched them basket for basket, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.

In the fourth quarter, with tensions running high and the game on the line, both teams dug deep and left it all on the court. With time winding down, the Bombers managed to maintain their composure and execute crucial plays down the stretch. Despite a valiant effort from the Tigers, including standout performances from their own athletes, the Bombers held on to secure a hard-fought victory.

Thompson finished with 20 points and 8 rebounds.  Loewe add 15 points and has 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

With the win, the Bombers improve to 10-7 (8-5) on the season.

The Bombers are back in action on Friday, February 2 when they host North Polk for a Raccoon River Conference match-up.  The game will tip off at 6:00 PM.

Photo Credit: Kevin Rowedder