Lynx top Warriors in state final rematch

WASILLA — Last March, Wasilla used a 44-40 victory over Dimond to win the 4A girls state title. Monday’s rematch featured a lot more offense.

And Dimond came away with the victory.

The 2016 runner-up scored a 76-60 win over the defending state champion Warriors at Wasilla High School.

Dimond used 29 first-quarter points and 50 in the first half to hand Wasilla just its second loss to an in-state program this season. The Warriors also dropped a game against Chugiak at the Dimond Lady Lynx Classic earlier this month. Prior to that, Wasilla’s lone loss of the season had come to Sierra Canyon, a team from Southern California.

Dimond sophomore Alisa Pili used a monster game of 37 points and 18 rebounds to help Dimond grab the win. Pili shot 15 of 25 from the floor, and was responsible for half her teams field goals. She was also 5 for 8 from the line. Victoria Johansen added 13 points and Jahnna Hajdukovich chipped in a dozen.

Wasilla, which found itself in a 50-20 hole at halftime, put together 40 second-half points. McKenna Dinkel led Wasilla with 15 points and seven rebounds. Catherine Baham and Azlynn Brandenburg scored 14 each. Olivia Davies added 13.

Dimond girls 76, Wasilla 60

Monday, Wasilla High School

Dimond 29-21-17-9—76

Wasilla 9-11-18-22—60

Dimond (76) — Bialo 2 0-0 5, Carle 2 0-0 4, Johansen 5 0-1 13, Jones 1 0-2 3, Hajdukovich 4 3-4 12, Brink 1 0-0 2, Pili 15 5-8 37; Totals: 30 8-16 76.

Wasilla (60) — Davies 2 8-12 13, Baham 4 3-4 14, Brandenburg 3 2-8 14, Dinkel 1 13-14 15, Green 1 2-2 4; Totals: 11 34-41 60.

3-point field goals: Dimond 8 (Johansen 3), Wasilla 4 (Baham 3); Total fouls: Dimond 28, Wasilla 15.