Basketball Recap: Loveland Comes Up Short

Loveland was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their fourth straight defeat. They took a 57-42 bruising from the Fort Collins Lambkins. Unfortunately, that's the second time they've come up short against the Red Wolves this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 60-47 back in January.

Courtlyn Yaussi

Points

12/20/24 vs Mountain View	34
01/21/25 @ Greeley West	33
12/12/24 vs Rampart	31
02/07/25 vs Fort Collins	30
01/07/25 vs Fossil Ridge	25
+ 12 more games

Despite the loss, Loveland saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Courtlyn Yaussi went 13 of 28 en route to 30 points along with five boards and four steals. Loveland is 3-1 when Yaussi posts 30 or more points, but 3-12 otherwise. Another player making a difference was Norah Patella, who posted two points in addition to ten rebounds and five steals.

Annika Vandalen was nothing short of spectacular for Fort Collins: she almost dropped a double-double on 22 points and nine boards. What's more, Vandalen also posted a 75% three-point shooting accuracy, which is the highest she's posted since back in February of 2024. Lydia Childs was another key player, going 6 for 8 to rack up 16 points and five rebounds.

Loveland's defeat dropped their record down to 6-13. As for Fort Collins, their win ended a six-game drought on the road and puts them at 6-13.

Loveland and Fort Collins could both be facing uphill battles in their next games considering their disadvantage in the MaxPreps Colorado Rankings. Loveland will face off against Rocky Mountain at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday down 147 places (178 vs. 31). Similarly, Fort Collins (ranked 123rd) will meet Highlands Ranch (ranked seventh) at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.