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With Kylie Pittmann 'feeling it,' Waterville-Elysian-Morristown moves on

By RON HAGGSTROM, Star Tribune , 03/12/20, 3:00PM CDT

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The Buccaneers, fueled by three consecutive three-pointers from their junior guard, defeated Heritage Christian 58-46 to reach the 1A semifinals.


Toryn Richards (3) of Waterville-Elysian-Morristown was defended by Kaitlan Jones (21) of Heritage Christian Academy in the second half. Photo: CARLOS GONZALEZ • cgonzalez@startribune.com

Kylie Pittmann looked at home on the Maturi Pavilion floor.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown’s junior guard made three consecutive three-pointers midway through the first half, propelling the Buccaneers to a 58-46 triumph over Heritage Christian in the Class 1A quarterfinals Thursday on the University of Minnesota campus.

“I was feeling it today, really comfortable,” said Pittman, who had 15 points, going 5-for-7 from behind the arc. “I was knocking down open shots.”

Pittmann’s quick five-minute barrage helped turn an 11-10 deficit into a 21-13 lead with 6:11 left in the first half. The No. 7-ranked Buccaneers (27-4) led 25-15 at the intermission.

“We’re playing at a pretty high level right now,” Buccaneers coach Tyler Kaus said. His team shot 40 percent from the floor and went 21-for-22 from the free-throw line. “It’s a confident group.”

Classmate Brielle Bartelt took over the game in the second half. She scored the first nine points after the break as the Buccaneers went on an 11-0 run to build a 36-15 lead. Bartelt had a game-high 23 points.

“I saw their tall player was guarding me, so I took it to the hoop,” said Bartelt, who had two layups, a three-pointer and two free throws during the run. “We felt really good at the end of the first half.”

The Eagles (22-8) were led by junior guard Taylor Schuck’s 19 points.

“I thought we matched up with them pretty well,” Eagles coach Lori Crellin said. “We ran into a team that was pretty hot.”

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