TOUGH DEFENSE CARRIES BRUINS OVER JAYS

Fargo South picked up their out front defense in the second half and blew open a tight game at halftime in a 65-40 win over Jamestown on Tuesday night in the Bruin gym. The win clinches the EDC regular season title outright as the Bruins improved to 15-1 in the conference - a 3 game lead with only 2 games left to play. Fargo South was led by their guard trio of McKenzie Mehlisch, Lindsay Sauvageau, and Cammi Greenheck. The trio harassed and frustrated the Blue Jay guards, especially so in the second half, in forcing 23 turnovers, numerous tipped passes, and just general "pestitude" in allowing the Jays to run offense. The guards combined for 11 steals, 12 assists, 9 rebounds, and 36 points, including a team high 15 points and 7 rebounds from McKenzie Mehlisch. The great guard play was just what was needed for South on this night - a sure sign the Bruins are becoming a true "team". Joslynn Tharaldson, South's leading scorer all season, was hampered the entire night by foul trouble. Tharaldson only played in 20 minutes of action, but the rest of the team picked up the senior post, and South cruised to the 25 point win. Early on it was Jamestown though who looked to be the aggressor. Jamestown jumped out to a quick 7-3 lead on the strength of a basket and pair of freethrows by Ashley Jacobs and a three pointer by Melissa Falk. South's points came when McKenzie Mehlisch drove the lane and scored a conventional three point play. After that slow start though, the Bruins began to pick things up. Jenna Lee scored on an inside basket and a pull up shot in the lane, while Tharaldson scored inside on a pair of baskets. Kaitlin Braunberger hit another three pointer for Jamestown, and the Bruins took a 13-10 lead after one. In the second, after Joslynn Tharaldson picked up her third foul, was where the Bruins guards needed to step up, which they did. Mehlisch had another nice drive to the basket, Sauvageau hit a pair of freethrows, and Cammi Greenheck had a nice driving layup as well. Jenna Lee also hit on a nice inside basket and nailed a three pointer from up top to keep the Bruins going. Despite that, the Jays were able to stay close thanks to a pair of three pointers from freshman Jenny Schughard and South carried only a 27-22 lead into halftime. In the second half of play the Bruins defense defintely improved. The Bruin guards dictated the pace and direction of the game and the result was a big extension of the halftime lead. The South perimeter game dropped in 17 points which included fast break baskets, freethrows, and outside shots. The defense of South limited the Jays to just 3 field goals in the quarter, and the Bruins had built a commanding 47-29 lead heading into the final quarter. The fourth quarter was more of the same for South with the defense dictating play. South continued to build on their lead throughout the final quarter. Jamestown switched to a zone midway through the quarter, but that was answered by a three pointer from Lindsay Sauvageau and an inside basket by Joslynn Tharaldson. South again was very balanced, as four girls hit double figures. McKenzie Mehlisch led South with 15, followed closely with 14 from Lindsay Sauvageau, and 12 each from Jenna Lee and Joslynn Tharaldson. The Bruins are now off for a week. Next action is next Tuesday when they host Valley City.

See the complete boxscore here

Boxscore:
Fargo South: Mehlisch 3 9-9 15, Sauvageau 4 5-5 14, Greenheck 2 2-3 7, Lee 5 1-2 12, Tharaldson 4 4-5 12, Heyer 1 0-0 2, Hageman 0 1-2 1, Stensgard 0 2-2 2; Totals 19 24-29 65, Three point goals: Sauvageau,Lee

Jamestown: Falk 2 0-0 6, Jacobs 3 3-4 9, Schughard 2 0-0 6, Dale 2 2-2 6, Hornung 1 0-1 2, Braunberger 2 2-2 7, Walsh 2 0-0 4; Totals: 14 7-10 40, Three point goals: Schughard 2, Falk 2, Braunberger

Fouled out: Jacobs; Total Fouls: South 15, J 20; Rebounds: South 24(Mehlisch 7), J 25(Hattlewick 4), Steals: South 13(Sauvageau, Mehlisch 4), J 8, Turnovers: South 16, J 23; Assists: South 14(Mehlisch, Greenheck, Sauvageau 4) JV game: Jamestown 51 - Fargo South 45,