Lady Bulldogs Win Squeaker Against McGregor

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Dec 5, 2011

CARLTON- The Carlton Lady’s basketball team picked up their second win of the season as the Bulldogs squeaked out a 36-35 win at home Monday night. The Bulldogs, who entered Monday’s Polar League match-up, were hoping to improve to 2-1 on the season. The Bulldogs who led by five points with less than 18 seconds to play withstood two late baskets and a turnover to hold on and win by one point.

The Bulldogs jumped out early on the Mercuries as it was Clarissa Nelson who connected on four free throws in the early going that propelled the Bulldogs to an early 7-2 lead. McGregor continued as they did all night to battle back and cut the Carlton lead to 8-6 midway through the first half. Carlton then scored the next four points and built what was the largest lead in the game of six points at 12-6.

McGregor then went on an 8-0 run to take their first lead of the game at 14-12. Carlton bounced back and tied it at 14-14 on a Lindsey Dahl-Holm basket. McGregor scored again to take a 16-14 lead but Carlton battled back eventually tying the score at 16-16 at halftime Monday in Carlton.

Head Coach Lisa Johnson stated “we need to continue to improve game in and game out, we sort of froze out there at times tonight and that isn’t us.”

Carlton come out in the second half and scored six of the second half’s first eight points to build up a comfortable lead early into the half. The Mercuries however, never quit fighting and continued to chip away at the lead. Carlton took a five point 36-31 lead late in the game following a three point play from Brooke Camps. McGregor came down and scored to cut the lead to three points with less then14 seconds to play. “We didn’t want to turn the ball over late in the game but McGregor’s solid defense forced the turnover and I’m happy we got the win.” Johnson added.

McGregor forced a Carlton turnover and McGregor launched a three point shot with only seconds remaining that missed the mark and a basket from underneath made the final margin of victory of one point as time expired. The win moves Carlton to 2-1 on the season as they prepare for a matchup Tuesday night at home again against Onamia. McGregor falls to 0-3 on the season and they will host Cook County on Friday night.

Carlton was led by Dahl-Holm who finished with 13 points, Nelson added 10, Camps finished with 5 points on the night, and it was Tori Zime who ended with4, Ashley Anderson and Taylor Klassen each added 2 points in the victory.

McGregor’s Abby Hawkinson led the Mercuries with 10 points on the night, MaKaiyla Collins finished with 7, and Korrina Mickelson added 6, while Stacia Staska ended with 4 points. Shay Kelly, Kendra Mickelson, Danielle DeMenge, and Gretchen Grams all finished with 2 points.

Carlton finished 14-25 from the free throw line and McGregor was only 3-11 on the night.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at Dwight@northlandsportsonline.com