RAPID CITY — Mahpiya Luta continued its reign at the Lakota Nation Invitational. 

Mahpiya Luta captured its fourth consecutive Lakota Nation Invitational girls basketball championship, cruising past Rapid City Christian 62-31 at the Summit Arena.

Mahpiya Luta led from start to finish, three players scored in double figures and showed off the fruits of its labor.  

“We work for it every year,” Mahpiya Luta junior guard Ashlan Carlow-Blount said. “So just the fact every year I get to relive this moment with my team — a different team with new girls — it’s so exciting.”

The team is led by a mix of returners and newcomers. And coach Matt Rama said while the four-peat is special, it’s about molding this year’s team for another postseason run. 

“This year is a new group of girls,” Rama said. “You are trying to make that group of girls be the best they can be. But really I am just happy for this group of girls.”

Mahpiya Luta left very little doubt in this one. Tourney MVP Jodene Hunter-Big Crow scored a game-high 20 points, while Carlow-Blount had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Essence Tobacco added 10 points and Mya Mills logged nine points. 

Mahpiya Luta scored the game’s first 13 points, led 18-5 after the first quarter and had a 29-13 at halftime. It was more of the game in the second half, as the Crusaders cruised for another championship and shot 23-of-50 from the field. 

It was a direct reflection of Mahpiya Luta’s balance and unselfish play. 

“It feels good because you can trust one another and if you are having a bad game, someone else can be the leading scorer next,” Hunter-Big Crow said. 

Rapid City Christian’s Sadie Marshall finished with 10 points and four rebounds. Nora Kieffer added seven points and five boards. 

Mahpiya Luta limited Rapid City Christian to just 12 made field goals, and four 3-pointers on 27 attempts. 

Rama said Mahpiya Luta’s size and defensive ability was a reflection of Rapid City Christian’s shooting woes. 

“They defend. They are long. They are quick. They cause a lot of problems,” Rama said about his team. 

Up next, Mahpiya Luta will shift its attention to the rest of the season and make another run in the postseason. 

“We get to savor it for a week, for Christmas break,” Carlow-Blount said. “But then we have a game on the 30th. So then it’s back to business. We have to focus up and lock back in because we do have bigger goals.”