Raider women rally but come up short
FERGUS FALLS - Despite losing three of its first four games, the Central Lakes College women's basketball team hasn't gone out quietly.
Saturday's game against Fergus Falls was no exception as the Raiders battled back from a 20-point, second-half deficit to pull within one possession of the lead, but in the end the Spartans prevailed 62-57.
"We were actually down 10 points with three-and-a-half minutes left," Raiders coach Brad Amundson said. "The kids were tired, but to their credit they played hard and battled back. This is a good group of girls and hopefully that attitude will bode well for us the rest of the year.
"Obviously we'd like to be ahead and not in that situation to have to come back like that. But it's nice to know that you have a team that won't quit."
The Raiders, who were without leading scorer Courtney Stach because of a family obligation, were led by Kim Rosecrans' 16 points while teammate Andrea Almsted was close behind with 15 points. Erin Karlsgodt and Kayla Gustafson each added nine points in the loss.
With Stach's absence, Sarah Mulroy playing sick and Kristi Myers in early foul trouble, the Raiders were forced to play the majority of the game with just five players.
But Amundson was happy with how his squad responded and that other players like Almsted, Karlsgodt and Gustafson each stepped up and contributed with points.
"Players are starting to do a lot of the little things," Amundson said. "They're getting offensive rebounds and diving on floor. That's how they'll get their points. If we can get the hustle points and the scoring from Kim and Courtney that will bode well for us.
"This was just a great effort with a lot of players logging a lot of minutes. The team battled and made a game of it at the end."
Fergus Falls 39 23 - 62
Central Lakes 26 31 - 57
FERGUS FALLS
Jessie Asuma 4, Alicia Wunderlich 13, Nikki Toso 3, Shana Wigdahl 9, Sam Martin 6, Ashley Ohren 10, Greta Hangaard 2, Karla Luther 6, Christen Robinson 9. FT 10-18 (56 percent). 3-point baskets: 5 (Wunderlich 2, Wigdahl 3)
CENTRAL LAKES
Kim Rosecrans 16, Andrea Almsted 15, Kristi Myers 5, Sarah Mulroy 2, Erin Karlsgodt 9, Kayla Gustafson 9, LeaAnn Karlsgodt 1. FG 23-67 (34 percent). FT 11-20 (55 percent).
TROY GUNDERSON can be reached at troy.gunderson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5865.