Bruins get tough road win

It was what a #1 vs #2 game should be: both teams made key plays throughout the game, and the winner was not determined until the closing minutes of the game. In the end though, Fargo South prevailed in a 60-52 game that capped the Bruins' perfect 18-0 conference season, the first time in school history that the Bruins managed an undefeated conference record. The first half turned into a game of runs. Early on, Red River had the momentum, jumping out to a fast start on the strength of Laura Lentz's three first period three pointers. The Riders built a quick 13-5 lead just 3 minutes into the game. But as has been the case nearly all season, the Bruins got a huge lift from their bench. Rachel Wagner came in and gave South the jump start they needed to get back into the game with a three pointer right off the bat, and great defensive pressure at the top of South's press. After a Katie Thingelstad basket cut the lead to 13-10, Amy Hannaher drove the lane and got an "and one" to tie the game at 13-13. Mel Hageman gave a great effort inside for South again, and the Bruins took a 17-16 lead after one quarter. After South scored first in the second to take a 19-16 lead, the Riders came back with six straight points to take a 22-17 lead on baskets by Ashley Nelso, Nicki Dahlstrom, and Kelly Polovitz. South responded to that run with another three from Wagner and later a three from Jenna Lee. Red River maintained the lead though, as Nora Narloch was able to continually get to the freethrow line and cash in, going 7-8 in the quarter. At halftime, as expected, the game was close, with Red River holding a slim 32-30 lead. What made the difference for South in the second half was their ability to break up any big run by the Riders. Red River still managed to make some big baskets, but nearly every time the Bruins countered with a big play of their own. Rachel Wagner came up huge in the third quarter, dropping in three three pointers in close succession to open up the inside game. South's second big spark off the bench on the night came in the form of Joslynn Tharaldson, who put together one of her best stretches of the season. After a Lentz three pointer gave the Riders a quick uplift, Tharaldson beat everyone down the floor and the Bruins ran their break and got her the ball for a layup just seconds later to take back the momentum. That was coupled with 2 other inside baskets by Tharaldson, both coming at a time when the Bruins really needed them. Another big play came after Wagner hit a three pointer then followed that up with a steal and great pass ahead to Amy Hannaher for a quick five points. "Wags" ended the night with a great stat line - 15 points, all on three pointers which tied a school record, 8 assists, and 4 steals. The third quarter was the turning point as the Bruins outscored Red River 21-12 to take a 51-44 lead heading into the final quarter. South was able to stretch out that lead to twelve points a couple of times, thanks in part to a three pointer from Amy Hannaher, and the inside power of Hageman and Thingelstad. South built a 60-48 lead late in the game and held on for the eight point win. And perhaps the best performance of the night came without any stats. Sophomore point guard Cammi Greenheck was a steady ball handler in the face of Red River's pressure defense the entire game and was able to get the Bruins into their running game as well as getting them set up in their half court offense - besides handling the ball for the majority of the game, Greenheck also came away with 6 defensive rebounds. The win moves South to 17-2 overall. Next action for the Bruins is next Thursday, in the opening round of the EDC tournament. South will play the winner of the Fargo North-Wahpeton play-in game.

See the complete boxscore here

Boxscore:
Fargo South: Hageman 5 6-10 16, Hannaher 5 1-1 12, Wagner 5 0-0 15, Thingelstad 3 0-0 6, Tharaldson 4 0-0 8, Lee 1 0-0 3; Totals 23 7-11 60, Three point goals: Wagner 5, Hannaher, Lee

Red River: Lentz 5 0-0 15, Homstad 3 0-0 6, Polovitz 4 0-1 8, Narloch 0 10-12 10, Nelson 1 0-0 2, Wheeler 2 0-0 4, Dahlstrom 3 1-3 7; Totals: 18 11-16 62, Three point goals: Lentz 5

Fouled out: none; Total Fouls: South 15, RR 12; Rebounds: South 36(Hageman 9), RR 30(Narloch 4), Steals: South 11(Wagner 4), RR 5(Polovitz 2), Turnovers South 16, RR 16; Assists: South 19(Wagner 8) JV game: Red River 58 - Fargo South 47, Soph game: South over Red River HTML>