Wildcats top Royals in Mon-Dak action

Article by Harry Lipsiea, Devils Lake Journal Sports, January 20th, 2017.

The Lake Region State College men and women's basketball teams traveled to Wahpeton Thursday evening to face the conference-leading NDSCS Wildcats. The Royals were unable to walk away with victories in both games against top competition in the Mon-Dak Conference.

NDSCS won 85-62 in the women's game while the Wildcat men picked up a 98-53 triumph.

Looking at the stats of the women's game, it's clear that shooting was the difference. NDSCS shot 57 percent from the field compared to 38 percent of the Royals. Lake Region was right with the Wildcats in nearly every other category as the team had 14 turnovers and picked up 32 rebounds including 12 on offense.

NDSCS was 23-of-36 from the line while Lake Region, who was without the services of Mackenzie Irwin due to sickness, was 16-of-27. 

"They are a big physical team and we matched their effort tonight," LRSC head coach Danny Mertens, said. "We played a lot better than Monday. Happy with the effort. Girls keep getting better. That's all I can ask."

There were three Royals in double figures. Emily Schafer had a game-high 23 points. Cassidy Nelson, who surpassed 700 career points on the night, had another solid game with 16 points. Jillian Hanson scored 12 points while Helen Schuster added eight.

In the men's game, NDSCS jumped out to a big start and didn't look back. The Wildcats, who led 42-25 at the half, outscored LRSC 56-28 in the second half.

"We didn't show up tonight," Jared Marshall, LRSC head coach, stated. "It's easy as that. You can't play anything less than your best basketball against a talented, veteran team like that."

Jordan Bolton led the squad with 13 points. Cedric Boone and Jayson Edwards scored eight points each. Derrick Laudenbach added six points while Harvey Barr and Nic Fassos each chipped in with five.

"We will get back in the gym tomorrow and continue to work on being the best team we can be," Marshall said.

The Royals are back at home Sunday. LRSC takes on Jamestown JV in women's action at 2 p.m. The men play Concordia JV at 4 p.m.