Fridley defeats Warrior girls for 5th place

ELK RIVER -- Poor shooting and turnovers led to the downfall of the Brainerd Warriors girls' basketball team in a 48-44 loss to Fridley in the fifth-place game of the Elk River Invitational Friday.

Brainerd shot just 21 percent from the field and turned the ball over 39 times. Lisa Renneke led the Warriors with 15 points and six rebounds and Annie Zauhar collected 12 points and 14 rebounds.

"The second quarter hurt us a lot," Brainerd coach Carl Hendrickson said. "But when you have 39 turnovers you don't get down to your end of the basket and at least get some attempts. On the other side of that when you turn the ball over 39 times there are opportunities for them to go down and get a basket. We had one stretch where we turned it over six times in a row and they converted four or five of those. That hurt us a lot."

The Warriors trailed 32-20 at halftime but outscored Fridley 24-16 in the second half.

"We did play better in the second half but we can't continue to turn the ball over at this pace," Hendrickson said. "It's going to be a long season if we don't start taking care of the ball against pressure. We've got to be more aggressive and confident with the ball and quit worrying about who should have the ball in their hands. We all have to take care of it."

Brainerd 12 8 11 13 -- 44

Fridley 10 22 5 11 -- 48

BRAINERD (44)

Lisa Renneke 15, Bekah Hewitt 2, Kacie Herman 2, Megan Steiger 2, Katie Ahlberg 4, Annie Zauhar 12, Amy Kittelson 7. Team totals: FG 11-51 (21 percent), FT 21-29 (72 percent). Overall -- 2-5. Next game: Thursday host Duluth East 7:30 p.m.

FRIDLEY (48)

Hanson 8, Chavez 6, Donley 1, Spencer 5, Dettle 1, Olivas 13, Riley 14. Team totals: FG 18-63 (29 percent), FT 11-22 (50 percent).

3-point baskets -- Renneke, Spencer. Rebounds -- B 41 (Zauhar 14, Kittelson 9, Renneke 6), F 26. Turnovers -- B 39, F 25. Total fouls -- B 20, F 24. Fouled out -- Kittelson. Assists -- B 6 (Renneke 3). Steals -- B 11 (Zauhar 3). Blocks -- B 6 (Katie Frost 3).