Another quick start, another Royal victory
The Lake Region State College women’s basketball team is going into the postseason on a bit of a run.
Article by Harry Lipsiea, Devils Lake Journal Sports, February 24th, 2017.
The Lake Region State College women's basketball team is going into the postseason on a bit of a run. With two consecutive lopsided victories, the Royals have been using quick starts to jump on their opponents on the way to big wins.
Away on the road Thursday against Dakota College at Bottineau, Lake Region State College had leads of 15-9, 38-23 and 42-25 at quarter breaks before earning an 84-56 conference win to improve to 17-11 on the year and 6-6 in the conference.
"We came out with a lot of energy. I think we had the best ball movement we have had all year long," third-year head coach Danny Mertens told the Journal. "The ball was distributed very well."
Balanced scoring was the name of the game for Lake Region State College. Cassidy Nelson picked up another double-double, finishing with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Mackenzie Irwin and Mer Gach each scored 12 points while R'rionna Brocks and Emily Schafer scored 10 apiece. Mikayla Wallace added six points and Helen Schuster had five. Jadyn Fee chipped in with four points. Jaden Hanson and Jillian Hanson each finished with three points.
"Having five girls in double figures is a great way to end the conference and regular season," Mertens said. "R'rionna Brocks really stepped up for us. She played a whale-of-a-game by keeping herself under control distributing the ball well."
The Royals host Williston State College Sunday in the first round of the playoffs. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. at the Devils Lake Sports Center. The Royals are looking for a strong fan turnout.
"Hopefully the momentum carries into Sunday," Mertens pointed out.