COON RAPIDS -- Despite cooling off in the second half, Ridgewater nearly upset Anoka-Ramsey.
Anoka-Ramsey, rated No. 1 in the state and region and No. 6 in the nation, trailed 26-24 at halftime before taking over the lead early in the second half and never gave it back.
"I thought we really played well," said Ridgewater coach Carrie Ogdahl. "We were down by 10 points in the second half and never gave up. Anoka's defense is and outstanding and guards stepped up and attacked it.
Ridgewater shots 52 percent from the field in the first half, yet never went to the free-throw line. But the Lady Warriors cooled off in the second half, hitting 38 percent.
Melissa Sterkel paced the Lady Warriors (3-6, 10-12) with 15 points and three steals. Krystal Prodoehl added 13 points and seven rebounds. Ashley Olson had 10 points and eight rebounds, Karen Christopher nine points and seven rebounds, and Kayla Karnes sevenpoints and five assists.
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Ridgewater hosts Fergus Falls Wednesday night and then plays at Minneapolis on Saturday, needing a win on the road to qualify for post-season.
Anoka-Ramsey 62, Ridgewater 58
Ridgewater (3-6, 10-12) 26 32 -- 58
Anoka-Ramsey (8-1, 18-4) 24 38 -- 62
RIDGEWATER - 22-49 FG (3-12 3-pt); 11-18 FT; 35 rebounds; 15 fouls ... Scoring: Kayla Karnes 3-13 0-0 7, Ashley Olson 2-8 6-8 10, Melissa Sterkel 6-10 3-7 15, Hilary Groothuis 2-3 0-0 4, Karen Christopher 3-7 1-2 9, Krystal Prodoehl 6-6- 1-1 13... 3-point shots: Karnes 1, Christopher 2 ... Rebound leaders: Olson 8, Christopher 7, Prodoehl 7, Sterkel 6 ... Assist leaders: Karnes 5 ... Steal leaders: Sterkel 3, Prodoehl 2, Christopher 2
ANOKA-RAMSEY - 23-57 FG (2-7 3-pt); 14-19 FT; 35 rebounds; 20 fouls ... Scoring: Marlayna Graff 5-12 1-1 11, Love Washington 5-10 4-6 14, Desirae Robinson 1-4 2-2 5, Megan Colhour 2-6 3-4 7, Amanda Reh 2-10 2-2 7, Megan Schlauderaff 1-2 0-0 2, Sonja Ellingson 7-13 2-4 16 ... 3-point shots: Robinson 1, Reh 1 ... Rebound leaders: Graff 10, Ellingson 8 ... Assist leaders: Washington 5 ... Steal leaders: Washington 3
