WILLMAR -- Hilary Groothuis struck for 21 points while dominating in the paint as Ridgewater College upset North Dakota State College of Science 60-54 on Monday.
The Lady Warriors avenged a 75-50 loss at Wahpeton on Nov. 29.
Groothuis also hooked 19 rebounds and blocked three shots. The 6-foot freshman from Maynard made 10-of-14 field goal attempts.
Ashley Olson, a sophomore wing from Murdock, backed Groothuis with 15 points. Melissa Sterkel supplied 10 rebounds and three steals.
"We made better decisions and had better shot selections," explained Ridgewater coach Carrie Ogdahl. "It was a physical game, but the refs called it tight which probably helped us. Overall, though, we're learning to play together. This should be a real confidence booster."
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Ridgewater's defense held NDSCS to 30 percent (22 of 74) shooting from the field.
It was a one-point game at 47-46 when Groothuis, Olson and Groothuis twice more scored to get some separation. Kayla Karnes sank two free throws for a 59-54 lead and when Olson got a defensive rebound at the other end, it was curtains for the Wildcats.
Karen Christopher contributed five rebounds and five assists. Karnes finished with nine points and three assists.
Jenna Giller ended up with 23 points for NDSCS, but only 10 in the second half.
Ridgewater 60, NDSCS 54
NDSCS (7-6) 30 24 -- 54
Ridgewater (5-4) 27 33 -- 60
NORTH DAKOTA STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE - 22-74 FG (1-8 3 pt); 9-21 FT; 45 rebounds; 15 fouls ... Scoring: Liza Milless 2-5 1-4 5, Cara Donnell 0-6 1-2 1, Nikki Washek 3-5 3-3 9, Jenna Giller 10-19 2-6 23, Stacy Wiegman 3-7 2-5 8, Kayla Hanson 2-9 0-0 4, Jana Momoh 2-18 0-1 4 ... 3-point shots: Giller 1-3 ... Rebound leaders: Momoh 12, Giller 8, Wiegman 5 ... Assist leader: Milless 5 ... Steal leaders: Milless 5, Donnell 4, Giller 4 ... Blocks: Momoh 3
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RIDGEWATER - 24-59 FG (2-7 3 pt); 10-18 FT; 53 rebounds; 16 fouls ... Scoring: Kayla Karnes 3-8 3-4 9, Amy Ballard 1-4 0-0 3, Ashley Olson 5-11 5-6 15, Melissa Sterkel 2-5 1-2 5, Hilary Groothuis 10-14 1-6 21, Hannah Tornquist 1-5 0-0 2, Karen Christopher 1-7 0-0 2, Kristen Hegna 1-2 0-0 3 ... 3-point shots: Hegna 1-1, Ballard 1-2 ... Rebound leaders: Groothuis 19, Sterkel 10, Christopher 5 ... Assist leader: Christopher 5 ... Steal leaders: Olson 3, Sterkel 3 ... Blocks: Groothuis 3
