Pearson dominates as Raiders click
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
With just seven games remaining, the ever-changing puzzle pieces that comprise the Central Lakes College women's basketball game plan began to settle Wednesday night.
Facing the Fond Du Lac Thunder, one of two MCAC Northern Division teams without a win, the Raiders were able to work on changes to their game plan during an 86-45 victory.
"This is one of those games that I said we need to work on things that are going to make us better," Raiders coach Dennis Eastman said. "We had to work on our turnovers. Work on running our offense. And work on talking on defense."
The Raiders struggled early as they turned the ball over three times, resulting in a 19-17 lead midway through the first half. Eastman had seen enough at that point as he called a time out.
Trisha Wippler (right) of Central Lakes College attempted a shot while Haley Lund of Fond Du Lac Community College defended during the Raiders' 86-45 home victory Wednesday. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
Cassie Pearson and the Raiders dominated the rest of the half as they converted eight Thunder turnovers into a 23-5 run. During that stretch Pearson scored five of her 26 points and found teammates for three assists. Her intensity trickled over to the defensive end as she came up with two of her five blocks and three steals.
"Cassie was focusing on what she needed to do and they were turning right into her and she was just doing what she does. She was moving her feet well so she got in a good position where she could block the shots," Eastman said.
After holding a 42-22 lead at the half, the only thing more plentiful than the Raiders' opportunity to let up on their struggling opponent were the opportunities for open looks at the basket.
The Raiders' defense continued to smother in the second half, forcing seven more turnovers and allowing the Thunder to connect on just five more field goals, translating to just1 5 percent shooting over the final 20 minutes.
Central Lakes 86, Fond Du Lac 45
Key to the game: Cassie Pearson's intensity led to 26 points and five blocked shots and sparked the Raiders, who outscored the Thunder 71-19 for the final 10 minutes of the first half and much of the second.
CLC: Division 2-4. Overall 3-15.
Next: Central Lakes at Hibbing 1 p.m. Saturday.
All seven members of the Raiders stepped up in the second half as they rolled off a 36-9 run covering 13 minutes.
"I think that it did help when we put these different defenses in this week hoping to change things up," Eastman said. "What that is doing is forcing us to talk more and it was more evident in the second half when we started changing defenses. Everyone was talking more and that was good."
Trisha Wippler finished with 16 points, including a break-away layup after she stole the ball from the Thunder with just 1:32 remaining, while Carlee Davich tallied 14.
Brittany Gravelle returned to the Raiders' rotation after missing a week with her second concussion on the year, giving the Raiders a bigger boost than the seven points in the box score.
"She brings a little more intensity," Eastman said of the freshman. "She is our point guard ... and she's the only one who has experience as a point guard so bringing her in like that gives us just a little more focus - plus she brings the ball up a little faster. She's also a shooter and she can drive it to the hole. She just brings another dimension to us when we put her in there."
Another big boost for the Raiders was their lack of turnovers - just 10 on the night for a team that has struggled with that facet all year long. "It is just something that we've been working on it since the beginning," Eastman said of his teams' ball control. "It's been a problem for us. Turnovers have been huge. We make a lot of bad passes from people just not looking for the ball."
For Eastman and the Raiders, the season begins now - hoping it isn't too late to overcome a three-game deficit while traveling in five of their eight final games in hopes of reaching the playoffs.
"We like change. Aand hopefully that is what we are going to continue to do," Eastman said. "Hopefully we can carry this momentum into Saturday's game against Hibbing. If we want to get back on track we need these two (games against Hibbing on Saturday and a make-up game against Vermilion on Sunday)."
Fond du Lac 22 23 - 45
Central Lakes 42 44 - 86
FOND DU LAC
Brady Donnahue 20, Darian Bushey 9, Lisa Muehlberger 9, Elizabeth McKenzie 4, Haley Lund 3. FG 14-59 (24 percent), FT 7-15 (47 percent), Three-point baskets: 8 (Donnahue 6, Lund, Bushey).
CENTRAL LAKES
Cassie Pearson 26 , Carissa Utsch 9, Brittany Gravelle 7, Trisha Wippler 16, Carlee Davich 14, Alicia Johnson 8, Caitlin Kavanaugh 6. FG 31-70 (44 percent), FT 10-16 (63 percent), Three-point baskets: 8 (Utsch 3, Pearson, Kavanaugh, Davich, Wippler, Gravelle). Division: 2-4. Overall: 3-15. Next: CLC at Hibbing 1 p.m. Saturday.