Minneapolis Lions Senior Faythe Korinek scored 12 of her game-high 23 points in the first quarter to jump start the Lions to a 49-24 victory on the road against the Solomon Gorillas to open the season. The game was the first matchup of the Tri-County Classic.

Junior Karisma Vignery joined Korinek in the scorebook early on and buried two 3-pointers in the first period as Minneapolis led 20-8 after one. The Lions would continue to attack Solomon, outscoring the Gorillas 15-4 in the second quarter. Minneapolis had the 35-12 advantage at halftime.

Minneapolis defensively caused problems for the Gorillas forcing them into 23 turnovers in the first three quarters. Korniek led the way for the Lions in the third quarter scoring six of the team’s 12 points in the period to extend their lead to 32 heading into the fourth.

Vignery had 11 points on the night. Sophomore Zoie Shupe dropped five, while Senior Kalee Probasco scored four.

Solomon was led in scoring by Junior Kayla Webb, who had 11. Junior Dara Robertson scored seven.

Next up for Minneapolis in the Tri-County Classic is their home opener on Thursday against the Bennington Bulldogs.

Boys lose on the road

Minneapolis boys were outscored 33-22 in the second half and fell in their season opener to Solomon, 50-42.

The Lions were up by as much as six in the first half behind a very balanced effort. Eight players scored in the first half for Minneapolis to guide them to a 20-17 advantage at intermission.

Solomon made a run to begin the second half behind six points from Senior Matthew Smith in the third quarter. Minneapolis Junior Kaden McCullick kept the Lions close with Solomon scoring eight of his team-high 13 points in the third. However, Solomon took the 32-30 lead into the fourth quarter.

Junior Braden Neilson sealed the game for the Gorillas at the free throw line. Neilson scored seven points in the fourth from the line and was 9-for-15 for the game. Neilson dropped a game-high 15, while Senior Jacob Burdine scored 12, and Senior Zach Baier added nine.

Senior TreVaughn Thomas added nine for Minneapolis, as Senior Trent Brubaker put in six.

By Skylar Nosker

https://soundcloud.com/minneapolis-lions/minneapolis-12-5-17