ROCK RIDGE USES BIG FIRST HALF TO DEFEAT PIRATE GIRLS BASKETBALL 71-50

FIRST HALF-
The Crookston Pirates would get off to a good start as Chloe Boll scored the game’s first basket to give Crookston an early 2-0 lead. Rock Ridge answered as Maija Lamppa knocked down a two and a three. A little later, Anna Westby would get her short shot to fall, which prompted Crookston to call a timeout with the Pirates trailing 9-4. Later in the half, Naomi Johnson connected on a shot in the post, and then Isabelle Smith hit a three to make the Wolverine’s lead go down to 20-15 halfway through the half. Rock Ridge would get on a 16-3 run with the help of Anna Westby, who blocked a shot on the defensive end and hit a three on the offensive end to give Rock Ridge a 36-18 lead. Later in the half, Chloe Boll knocked down a three as she had 13 first-half points for the Pirates. Alex Flannigan for Rock Ridge hit a buzzer-beating three, which gave the Wolverines a 50-26 halftime lead.

SECOND HALF –
In the second half, Isabelle Smith hit her second three of the game, which made it 54-31. Alexis Lamppa responded with a three of her own as Smith later knocked down another three in the half, which made it 56-36. The Pirates defense made some stops and turnovers, but Chance Colbert would hit back-to-back baskets for the Wolverines. Grace Boll for Crookston loaded up a three and got it to fall to make it 61-39. Chloe Boll would keep up her scoring with a couple of baskets inside the arc as the Pirates tried to cut into the Wolverines’ lead. With a few minutes left in the half, Madilyn Bruggeman got fouled on her shot and made it but couldn’t convert on the three-point play. The Wolverines got a late basket from Elizabeth Fultz, which helped build the Wolverines’ lead over 20. Rock Ridge would end up getting the home win, 71-50.