SOUTH WAYNE - Free throw shooting down the stretch carried Randolph to a 53-43 win over Black Hawk on Saturday.
Randolph made 14 of 18 free throws in the fourth quarter to hang on to the victory.
Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said the difference in the game was Randolph's free throw shooting. Black Hawk (10-6, 5-1 Six Rivers East) trailed by 13 points to start the fourth quarter. The Warriors were able to cut it to five points on a basket by Jen Wellnitz with about 3 minutes to go. Wellnitz scored 12 of her 24 points in the fourth quarter where the Warriors outscored Randolph 21-18.
"I think in a game like this against Randolph, we took a few steps forward from a team standpoint," Flanagan said. "She (Wellnitz) made some plays in the fourth quarter to get us back in it. I just think we had a little more sense of urgency from the defensive end."
However, the big edge was at the free throw line where the Comets were 20 of 38.
"They did a good job of finishing plays at the line," Flanagan said.
Black Hawk junior Michelle Flanagan scored six points on two 3-pointers and junior Mikayla Sigafus added five.
Black Hawk will play Six Rivers East Conference leader Barneveld on Tuesday. Barneveld (16-1, 8-0 Six Rivers East) has a one-game lead on Black Hawk in the conference. Barneveld on average has beat teams in the conference by 37.6 points per game. The Warriors will at least have all their players healthy after some injuries.
"As big of a challenge as it is, it means a lot at this point in the season," Flanagan said. "We will have to play extremely good and hope they don't have their best game."
Barneveld 75, Albany 14
ALBANY - Barneveld had four players reach double figures as the Eagles rolled past Albany.
Barneveld, ranked second in the Associated Press Division 5 state poll, jumped out to a 21-3 lead in the first quarter. The Eagles were led by Rachel Slaney who scored 16 points and helped her team to a 46-10 lead at the half.
"With us having a younger team, it's a learning experience," Albany coach Bryce Pickett said. "Barneveld has a lot more experience. They can put anyone on the court and still put pressure on. They are a very strong defensive and offensive team. It's something we couldn't match up with."
Albany senior Kirstie Kauk scored a team-high five points and Emily Burger added four points. With the loss, Albany drops to 4-12, 1-6.
"We had a hard time handling their pressure," Pickett said. "I thought we got better as the game went on. These girls are learning."
Randolph made 14 of 18 free throws in the fourth quarter to hang on to the victory.
Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said the difference in the game was Randolph's free throw shooting. Black Hawk (10-6, 5-1 Six Rivers East) trailed by 13 points to start the fourth quarter. The Warriors were able to cut it to five points on a basket by Jen Wellnitz with about 3 minutes to go. Wellnitz scored 12 of her 24 points in the fourth quarter where the Warriors outscored Randolph 21-18.
"I think in a game like this against Randolph, we took a few steps forward from a team standpoint," Flanagan said. "She (Wellnitz) made some plays in the fourth quarter to get us back in it. I just think we had a little more sense of urgency from the defensive end."
However, the big edge was at the free throw line where the Comets were 20 of 38.
"They did a good job of finishing plays at the line," Flanagan said.
Black Hawk junior Michelle Flanagan scored six points on two 3-pointers and junior Mikayla Sigafus added five.
Black Hawk will play Six Rivers East Conference leader Barneveld on Tuesday. Barneveld (16-1, 8-0 Six Rivers East) has a one-game lead on Black Hawk in the conference. Barneveld on average has beat teams in the conference by 37.6 points per game. The Warriors will at least have all their players healthy after some injuries.
"As big of a challenge as it is, it means a lot at this point in the season," Flanagan said. "We will have to play extremely good and hope they don't have their best game."
Barneveld 75, Albany 14
ALBANY - Barneveld had four players reach double figures as the Eagles rolled past Albany.
Barneveld, ranked second in the Associated Press Division 5 state poll, jumped out to a 21-3 lead in the first quarter. The Eagles were led by Rachel Slaney who scored 16 points and helped her team to a 46-10 lead at the half.
"With us having a younger team, it's a learning experience," Albany coach Bryce Pickett said. "Barneveld has a lot more experience. They can put anyone on the court and still put pressure on. They are a very strong defensive and offensive team. It's something we couldn't match up with."
Albany senior Kirstie Kauk scored a team-high five points and Emily Burger added four points. With the loss, Albany drops to 4-12, 1-6.
"We had a hard time handling their pressure," Pickett said. "I thought we got better as the game went on. These girls are learning."
