Lady Warriors rough up Minneapolis

WILLMAR -- The Ridgewater women's basketball team evened its MCAC Southern Division record to 2-2 with an 85-55 win over Minneapolis Wednesday.

The Lady Warriors, who are 7-9 overall, dominated the shorthanded Mavericks (0-4, 4-14) from the start.

With only six players, one who only played in the last minute of the game, Minneapolis wore out by the second half. The Lady Warriors were content to push the ball up the court and sail past the Mavericks with ease.

Ridgewater gunned out to a 46-31 halftime lead and stayed fresh enough on the court, working all nine players into the rotation.

Once the second half got going, Minneapolis' weariness was making Ridgewater's defense look better. The Mavericks shot 36 percent (11 of 31) in the last 20 minutes, many of those on off-balance spinning moves or desperation heaves against the shot clock.

But, the Lady Warriors solidly dominated the boards, 50-38. Danielle Goeman and Tara Thielke paved the way with nine rebounds each.

Ridgewater also did a tremendous job of not turning the ball over -- only seven turnovers the entire game -- and not getting into foul trouble; only nine fouls were whistled on the Lady Warriors.

In the scoring column, eight of the nine Ridgewater players scored points. Thielke scored a game-high 23 points, followed by Goeman with 16. Chelsea Voorhees chipped in 15 and Patina Queenan added 13. Thielke also made eight steals and collected five assists.

Ridgewater 85, Minneapolis 55

Minneapolis (0-4, 4-14) 31 24 -- 55

Ridgewater (2-2, 7-9) 46 39 -- 85

MINNEAPOLIS - 25-64 FG (4-16 3-pt); 1-3 FT; 38 rebounds; 9 fouls ... Scoring: Briana Blackhawk 19, Brynne Crockett 7, Natalye Horne 12, Carmeine Terrell 4, Kyana Wilson 13 ... 3-point shots: Blackhawk 3, Wilson 1 ... Rebound leaders: Blackhawk 6, Horne 11, Wilson 9 ... Assist leaders: Terrell 3 ... Steal leaders: none

RIDGEWATER - 39-85 FG (1-7 3-pt); 6-11 FT; 50 rebounds; 9 fouls ... Scoring: Patina Queenan 13, Danielle Goeman 16, Chelsea Voorhees 15, Tara Thielke 23, Alisha Schuerman 4, Alison Mason 8, Kari Caspers 4, Britney Glisczinski 2 ... 3-point shots: Thielke 1 ... Rebound leaders: Goeman 9, Voorhees 6, Thielke 9, Mason 6 ... Assist leaders: Thielke 5 ... Steal leaders: Thielke 8