A full court press and a strong half court defense stymied the Sauk Centre Mainstreeters and caused 21 turnovers and gave the West Central Area girls a 70-40 win Thursday night in the opening game of the Pelican Rapids Holiday Tournament's Valkyrie Division.
Liza Torgerson netted 18 points and grabbed four steals to pace the Knights, while Taylor Brekke added 14 points and Estee Juergens 12.
"Offensively, the Knights ran the court well, getting some easy transition baskets," said head coach Pat Anderson. "Estee Juergens led the Knights with all 12 of her points coming in the first half.
"We really executed well in the second half," noted the Knight coach. "We got some baskets off the press, but I was especially pleased with our execution in our half court offense. We took great shots within our offense and we shot the ball real well in the second half.
"Liza Torgerson had 13 of her 18 in the second half.
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"The key to the game tonight, I believe, was our defense," said Anderson. "We have been challenging our girls to apply more pressure and tonight they did that. When we are aggressive on the defensive end, it leads to good things for our offense. Everybody played and when they got the chance, they all contributed to this victory, a true team victory."
The Knights faced Battle Lake in the championship of that division on Friday night.
GAME SCORECARD
SAUK CENTRE 17 23 40
WEST CENTRAL 34 36 70
SAUK CENTRE - R. Gruber 11, Kelli Olmscheid 8, Kali Peschel 7, Greta Bergman 4, Voller 4, Anne Borgman 2, Megan Rieland 2, Stephanie Anderson 2. Field goals 13-45, 3-pt 0-6, Free throws 14-18, Rebounds 27, Assists 10, Steals 8, Blocks 1, Turnovers 21, Fouls 12.
WEST CENTRAL AREA - Liza Torgerson 18, Taylor Brekke 14, Estee Juergens, 12, April Nelson 6, Krystal Lacey 6, DeLaine Ronhovde 4, Taylor Sutherland 3, Amanda Werk 3, Jenny Starner 2, Laura Huebner 2. Field goals 26-61, 3-pt 5-12 (Torgerson 1, Brekke 1, Nelson 2, Sutherland 1), Free throws 13-18, Rebounds 27 (Lacey 8, Ronhovde 6, Brekke 6), Assists 10 (Juergens 3), Steals 15 (Torgerson 4, Brekke 4), Blocks 3 (Juergens, Huebner, Hollie Lien), Turnovers 14, Fouls 18.
PELICAN RAPIDS HOLIDAY
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TOURNAMENT
THURSDAY-FRIDAY,
DECEMBER 27-28
(VALHALLA DIVISION)
Pelican Rapids 66, Norman County East 46
Underwood 45, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley 43
(VALKYRIE DIVISION)
Battle Lake 53, Perham 49
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West Central Area 70, Sauk Centre 40
