SAUK RAPIDS — The Brainerd Warriors were able to hold off the winless Sauk Rapids Storm at the end of the game and picked up their second win of the season, 44-43 Friday night in Central Lakes Conference play.
Maria West led the Warriors with 14 points and Heather Fletcher added 11. Fletcher also grabbed 16 rebounds and Mikinze Boeder snared 11 caroms.
“We played pretty good defense at the end,” said Brainerd coach Brian McAllister. “They had four shots in the last 29 seconds. We gave them plenty of looks at the end, but we got the ball when we had to and held on to it.
“We had a pretty balanced effort tonight. We changed up our offense a little and Maria West did a pretty good job of running the point.”
Katelyn Johnson and Amy Southard each finished with six points. Jenna Degen played sparingly, scoring three points in her first game back after missing a month because of a concussion. The win ended a four-game losing streak for the Warriors who picked up their second win of the season.
“Hopefully we can build on this,” said McAllister. “We just have to get the ball into the basket a little better.”
Sauk Rapids 29 14 — 43
Brainerd 23 21 — 44
SAUK RAPID
Tara Paulsen 2, Ellie Henkemeyer 9, Anna Schmid 4, Bailey Bemboom 5, Megan Gaffke 4, Emma Krueger 2, Rachel Paulsen 11, Bailey Becker 3, Emma Woods 2, Ashley Benoit 1. FG 16-47 (34 percent), FT 7-12 (58 percent). 3-point 4-10 (40 percent).
BRAINERD
Jenna Degen 3, Katelyn Johnson 6, Ariana Huber 3, Maria West 14, Amy Southard 6, Heather Fletcher 11, Mikinze Boeder 3. FG 17-54 (31 percent), FT 9-20 (45 percent). 3-point 1-3 (33 percent). Conference: 1-4. Overall: 2-5. Next: host Cambridge-Isanti 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5.
