VIRGINIA — Playing without one of their best players in Ashley Arneson, the Central Lakes College Raiders led by one point against Mesabi at halftime. That lead would not hold in the second half as the Raiders fell 68-63 to drop to 9-4 in division play.
Lindsay Monson totaled 16 points and Taalyr Egeness was next with 15 as CLC shot 49 percent from the floor. The Norse shot just 38 percent from the floor but had the rebounding edge over the Raiders.
“They out-rebounded us in the second half and that was the big thing,” said head Coach Dennis Eastman.
Having beaten Mesabi by a 71-54 score in January, the Raiders failed to separate themselves from the Norse. Both teams have 9-4 division records and will make the playoffs.
CLC hosts 11-1 Northland on Saturday and could finish anywhere from second to fourth in division play.
Mesabi 33 35 — 68
Central Lakes 34 29 — 63
MESABI
Morgan Cunnigham 5, Essa Jacobsen 21, Kendra Dallmann 3, Ashley Block 12, Kassy Wenneson 2, Jessica Love 20, Marie Clement 5. FG 26-69 (38 percent), FT 9-16 (56 percent). 3-point 7-25 (28 percent).
CENTRAL LAKES
Sierra Benning 6, Jessica Kadus 9, Mariya Pierskalla 3, Taalyr Egeness 15, Carlie Sweet 6, Lindsay Monson 16, Jalynn Lamb 8. FG 25-51 (49 percent), FT 9-13 (69 percent). 3-point 4-7 (57 percent). Division: 9-4. Overall: 10-14. Next: hosts Northland 1 p.m. Saturday.
