VIRGINIA -- Lisa Nielsen scored 20 points in her college debut helping Ridgewater College stomp Hibbing Community College 63-44 on Friday.
Nielsen, a 6-foot center from Willmar, made 7-of-9 shots from the floor and all six free-throw attempts.
Tara Thielke, a freshman guard from Hancock, connected on four 3-pointers on the way to scoring 14 points.
All nine Lady Warriors scored. The team will gain at least two more players when the volleyball team returns from nationals.
"It was a good start," said Ridgewater coach Carrie Ogdahl. "We had the height advantage but they were quicker so we had to hustle to get back on defense."
ADVERTISEMENT
The Lady Warriors built a 23-point lead in the second half. That led to some carelessness in taking care of the ball but overall Ogdahl said it was encouraging.
Post Lisa Cinander added nine points. Thieke was credited with eight thefts.
Lindsay Jacobson was alone in double figures for the Cardinals with 13 points.
Today at 10 a.m. the Lady Warriors play Red River College of Winnipeg, Manitoba, a basketball program in its second year.
Ridgewater 63, Hibbing 44
Hibbing (0-1) 21 23 -- 44
Ridgewater (1-0) 33 30 -- 63
HIBBING - 15-56 FG (1-10 3-pt); 13-25 FT; 39 rebounds; 16 fouls ... Scoring: Lindsay Jacobson 5-8 3-4 13, Ashley Palmer 1-8 2-8 4, Danna Anderson 2-7 1-2 5, Johnea Sherrod 1-9 4-7 6, Becca Kilboune 3-13 1-2 8, Sara Bailey 3-11 2-2 8... 3-point shots: Kilbourne 1-7 ... Rebound leaders: Palmer 8, Kilbourne 8, Bailey 8 ... Assist leaders: Kilbourne 3 ... Steal leaders: Anderson 6, Sherrod 6
ADVERTISEMENT
RIDGEWATER - 22-62 FG (5-18 3-pt); 14-20 FT; 41 rebounds; 18 fouls ... Scoring: Karen Christopher 2-8- 1-1 5, Tara Thielke 5-13 0-0 14, Emily Mathiowetz 1-5 0-0 3, Lisa Nielsen 7-9 6-6 20, Bridget Boehlke 3-8 0-0 6, Patina Queenan 0-5 3-4 3, Brooke Busack 0-1 2-2 2, Brittany Glisczinski 0-5 1-5 1, Lisa Chinander 4-8 1-2 9 ... 3-point shots: Thielke 4-9, Mathiowetz 1-3 ... Rebound leaders: Nielsen 9, Christopher 7, Glisczinski 6, Chinander 5... Assist leaders: Christopher 3, Busak 3 Thielke 3 ... Steal leaders: Thielke 8, Nielsen 3 ... Blocked shots: Boehlke 1, Glisczinski 1
