Just when the Flathead Bravettes had scrapped their way back into the game, the visiting Great Falls Bison went on a run to stay out of reach and win the Class AA girls nonconference basketball matchup 53-46 on Saturday.

After Flathead sophomore Tiana Johnson made a pair of free throws early in the fourth quarter to make it a two-point game, the Bison navigated a 9-2 run over the next four minutes, highlighted by a Molly Schmitz 3-pointer with 2:25 left in the game, growing the Great Falls lead to 48-40.

The Bravettes put the pressure on in the final minute when junior Stephanie Wilson hit a layup before senior Jessica Simmons drained her only 3-point attempt, but it was too little, too late.

“We’ve just got to keep up our confidence,” Flathead coach Lisa Hendrickson said.

“It’s getting better every game and that’s what we preach — trying to get better every day. I’m seeing a lot of good stuff from a lot of different people. I’m positive, but I’m bummed because I want them to get the reward for working so hard.”

Flathead, who trailed by nine at halftime, cut the deficit to three with a huge third quarter, outscoring the Bison 16-10. Sophomore Kelsey Gillespie scored nine points off the bench, including two big 3-pointers during the Bravettes’ third-quarter rally. Her second trey beat the buzzer to make it a 38-35 game and sustain Flathead’s momentum.

“She’s a spark plug. She definitely gets our offense going,” Hendrickson said.

“We just need her to have some more confidence. That was a big game for her. Hopefully she does have the confidence to take that big shot. She nailed it today.”

In the second quarter, Simmons made a field goal and a free throw consecutively, but an Emma Madsen 3-pointer on the following possession erased the short Flathead run while Great Falls closed out the half on an 8-4 run.

The Bison, led by Nora Klick’s game-high 15 points, forced 16 turnovers and never trailed in the contest.

Johnson scored a team-high 11 points for Flathead. She was one rebound shy of a double-double, finishing with nine off the glass. Gillespie added nine points and Simmons scored eight.

“We switched up the defense and I think that was to our advantage,” Hendrickson added.

“(Great Falls coach Gregg Dart) made some great adjustments and we needed to make some more, but I think we’re going into the right direction and I’m very proud of the girls for their effort.”

Flathead is back in action on Friday when it hosts Polson at 7:30 p.m.

Great Falls 15 13 10 15 — 53

Flathead 12 7 16 11 — 46

GREAT FALLS — Nora Klick 5-14 4-5 15, Emma Madsen 3-8 3-7 11, Hannah Collins 1-8, 0-0 2, Gabby Fought 1-6 4-6 6, Lyndee Feisthamel 0-3 4-5 4, Hannah May 4-7 0-0 8, Molly Schmitz 1-3 0-0 3, Marissa Meyer 1-1 2-6 4. Totals 16-50 17-29 53.

FLATHEAD — Kylee Meredith 2-4 1-3 5, Stephanie Wilson 3-10 1-2 7, Tiana Johnson 4-10 2-3 11, Jessica Simmons 3-5 1-2 8, Janae Moon 1-3 0-2 2, Kelsey Gillespie 2-8 3-4 9, Sierra Siblerud 1-2 0-0 2, Mary Keaton 0-0 1-4 1, Taryn Gutierez 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 16-46 10-22 46

3-point goals — Great Falls 4-13 (Klick 1-3, Madsen 2-2, Schmitz 1-3) Flathead 4-12 (Johnson 1-3, Simmons 1-1, Gillespie 2-3). Rebounds — Great Falls 37 (Feisthamel 7, Madsen 5) Flathead 35 (Johnson 9, Simmons 6, Meredith 6). Turnovers — Great Falls 12, Flathead 16. Fouls — Great Falls 18, Flathead 20. Fouled out — Collins.