Women's College Basketball: Ogdahl’s curtain call a Warriors win

WILLMAR - The Ridgewater women’s basketball team and head coach Carrie Ogdahl exited in style.
Ridgewater smacked playoff-bound St. Cloud Technical College 76-71 on Saturday afternoon before a pretty-good crowd at the campus gym.
It was the team’s fifth straight win leaving them 8-6 and the MCAC South and 17-10 overall. But done. SCT’s upset of Rochester on Wednesday officially eliminated the Warriors from postseason contention.
Ogdahl announced this month this would be her last season. She has coached the program for 20 years. Before that she played two years for Val Swanson on this same court. And long before she debuted as a cheerleader mascot for the college teams. Her father Mike came up from Clara City to coach the Warriors in 1979 when Carrie was in early elementary school.
“I’m going to miss the games,” she said. “I won’t miss the practices so much. I think it was different for dad. He really enjoyed the teaching at the practices.”
Her years of service were recognized before the game, which included comments from Ridgewater president Doug Allen and athletic director Todd Thorstad.
Husband Darrin Ogdahl and the couple’s four children were on hand. She explained later that missing out on their activities was the reason for stepping aside.
The Lady Warriors played like a state tournament team in the finale. After the disappointment of Wednesday, Ogdahl said her team would treat Saturday’s game like their playoff game.
“We really wanted to finish the season with a win to end her career,” said sophomore guard Datri Jensen, who switched to basketball after two years on the softball team and is in her fourth year on campus. “Who would have thought we’d win 17 games? Coach just never gave up on us.”
Paynesville products Rachel Ampe and Brooke Wuertz, both sophomores, combined for 30 points and 17 rebounds. Freshman post Allie Seth scored 16 points and freshman guard Eric Melbie added 13.
The Cyclones, who got 14 points from Minnewaska grad Madi Phillips, take a 19-7 record to Thursday’s tournament in Anoka.
Ridgewater 76, St. Cloud Tech 71
STC....................................34 37 - 71
Ridgewater........................37 39 - 76
St. Cloud Tech
26-69 FG; 10-18 FT; 19 fouls … Scoring: Taylor Cunningham 26, Machenzie Mortin 1, Madison Phillips 14, Abby Notch 9, Dani Nelson 15, Ashley Quigley 3, Amber Quigley 3 … 3-point shots: Cunningham 1, Phillips 4, Notch 2, Nelson 2 … Rebound leader: Cunningham 14 … Assist leader: Phillips 2, Notch 2 … Steal leader: Nelson 3
Ridgewater
29-84 FG; 14-29 FT; 18 fouls … Scoring: Maddi Strandberg 3, Datri Jenson 4, Erica Melbie 13, Sami Doering 9, Brooke Wuertz 12, Rachel Ampe 18, Allie Seth 16 … 3-point shots: Melbie 2, Doering 1, Wuertz 1 … Rebound leader: Wuertz 9, Ampe 8 … Assist leader: Jenson 4, Wuertz 4 … Steal leader: Three with 3