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Negus sparks Janesville Craig past Stoughton

STOUGHTON — Janesville Craig’s girls basketball team saved its best for last Tuesday night.

The Cougars rallied late against Stoughton behind Brooke Negus’ three-point basket and six free throws down the stretch en route to a 52-49 nonconference win.

Craig (10-6) trailed 8-0 to start the game and by six at half but took control in the fourth.

“It was one of those tough nonconference road games that you have to find a way to win, and we did,” Craig coach Kerry Storbakken said. “Stoughton played much better than a four-win team, and we had to battle to win it.

“We got a big spark off the bench from (Stephanie) Perleberg, (Ali) Calkins and (Nicole) Kelly. They gave us a big lift.”

The Cougars led by one after three quarters, and eventually took the lead for good in the fourth on Negus’ three-pointer with five minutes left. Perleberg made two free throws with over a minute to play before Kristi Crandall put the game away with four free throws the last minute.

Negus had 13 points to lead Craig, while Perleberg added 11.

Stoughton’s Tessa Mersberger had a game-high 20 points, including five three-pointers.

Craig hosts Madison La Follette in a Big Eight Conference game Friday night.

CRAIG 52, STOUGHTON 49

Craig (52)—Perleberg, 4-2-11; Holhuter, 1-0-2; Negus, 4-2-13; Crandall, 2-4-9; Phillips, 1-0-3; Kelly, 2-2-6; Calkins, 3-1-7; Villa, 0-1-1. Totals: 17-12-52.

Stoughton (49)—Dumas, 2-0-5; Schultz, 4-0-8; Mersberger, 7-1-20; Christofferson, 4-0-8; Robson, 3-2-8. Totals: 20-3-49.

Janesville Craig 11 10 15 16

Stoughton 12 15 8 13

Three-point goals—Craig 6 (Negus 3, Crandall, Perleberg, Phillips), Stoughton 6 (Mersberger 5, Dumas). Free throws missed—Craig 7, Stoughton 5. Total fouls—Craig 12, Stoughton 18. Fouled out—Robson.

Sophomores—Craig won.