The Central Lakes Raiders had three players score in double figures, but a 30-12 disadvantage in points off turnovers was too much to overcome in a 70-56 loss to Ridgewater on the first day of the CLC Invitational.
The Warriors also defeated the Raiders 77-53 in Willmar on Dec. 8.
Lindsay Monson and Sierra Benning each totaled 13 points for the CLC, and Taalyr Egeness finished with 10. The Raiders shot 36 percent from the field.
After falling behind by double digits in the second half, the Raiders cut the lead to six with less than five minutes left. Turnovers and missed shots came back to plague the Raiders and CLC was not able to get any closer.
“We get right to that point and then do something silly,” said CLC coach Dennis Eastman. “We try to push it in to someone who isn’t open and it’s one of those things where I wish I could look through their eyes to see what they are seeing.
“The second half we had our chances, and we are creating opportunities. It’s getting better but we are still falling short.”
Despite a 1-8 start, Eastman sees a team that is improving.
“We have improved a lot, but what we need to do is to start winning to gain that confidence and that’s what we are lacking right now,” he said. “If we can win and get that confidence, I think that will snowball into something bigger.”
Ridgewater 36 34 — 70
Central Lakes 21 35 — 56
RIDGEWATER
Jessica Kalenberg 20, Lynsey Runke 5, Kristin Phillipp 5, Breanna Denn 8, Cameo McNeley 8, Raeann Sorenson 22, Courtney Kramer 2. FG 26-68 (38 percent), FT 9-13 (69 percent). 3-point 9-17 (53 percent).
CENTRAL LAKES
Sierra Benning 13, Jessica Kadus 8, Ashley Arenson 4, Taalyr Egeness 12, Emily Weber 4, Lindsay Monson 13, Jalynn Lamb 2. FG 21-58 (36 percent), FT 10-11 (91 percent). 3-point 4-11 (36 percent). Overall: 1-8. Next: host Fergus Falls 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15.
