Slower pace nets successful result

Leader-Telegram staff

The 32 minutes of mayhem the Eau Claire North girls basketball team dealt its first two opponents this season were missing, but the result was the same in the final game of the Thanksgiving Showcase at Zorn Arena on Saturday night.

Huskies head coach Dan Sippel strayed from his up-tempo style with half-court sets on offense, and his team remained unbeaten with a 50-38 victory over Menomonee Falls.

"We switched up the offense a little bit, and it's taking us a little while to jell," Sippel said. "But it was good for us to play this type of ballgame.

"We found some new things we have to work on."

Anne Connell's jump shot from the top of the key gave North (3-0) its first double-digit lead at 17-6 with 40 seconds gone in the second quarter, and the Huskies pushed their advantage to 25-13 by halftime.

But Jolene Gabrielson hit two free throws to cap a 6-0 run for the Indians (0-2) that opened the second half. The spurt cut Menomonee Falls' deficit to 25-19, but Connell ended the North drought with a 3-pointer.

The Indians struck again, however, in the first 3½ minutes of the fourth quarter with another 6-0 run. But two free throws by Lindsey Rongstad and a layup from Connell pushed the Huskies' buffer to 42-30 with just over 4½ minutes left, and North held on for the win.

"My spot is usually on the outside," said Connell, who scored 10 points and was 2-for-2 from 3-point range for North. "And when we hit from out there, it opens things up for Parr and Thorsness on the inside."

Larissa Parr collected six points and seven rebounds, and Andrea Thorsness had 10 points and six boards. Forward Kricket Whyte paced the Huskies with 12 points.

Brynn Moertl and Jamie Gabrielson had seven points apiece to lead the Indians.

"I thought we were going to take them right away," Connell said. "They're a quick team, but we're playing together pretty well right now."

MENOMONEE FALLS (38)

FG-A FT-A TP: Nicki Burnie 2-2 0-0 4, Heather Dolphin 1-7 4-5 6, Susan Winkelman 2-6 0-2 4, Jolene Gabrielson 1-5 2-2 4, Danielle Baumer 2-7 0-0 4, Jamie Gabrielson 3-7 1-2 7, Crystal Hein 1-3 0-1 2, Brynn Moertl 3-10 1-2 7, Kelly Matthiesen 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-47 8-14 38.

Eau claire north (50)

Kricket Whyte 5-5 2-4 12, Lindsey Rongstad 1-9 6-10 8, Angie Ziehme 1-1 0-0 2, Larissa Parr 3-12 0-2 6, Andrea Thorsness 3-8 4-5 10, Rian Bauerkemper 0-0 0-0 0, Anne Connell 4-4 0-0 10, Corisa Demoe 0-1 2-2 2, Amanda Eisold 0-0 0-0 0, Heather Dekan 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 17-42 14-23 50.

Menomonee Falls 6 7 11 14 -- 38

Eau Claire North 15 10 13 12 -- 50

3-point goals: Menomonee Falls 0-5 (Dolphin 0-1, Baumer 0-1, Winkelman 0-3), North 2-4 (Connell 2-2, Rongstad 0-2). Rebounds: Menomonee Falls 30 (Jo. Gabrielson 5), North 34 (Parr 7). Assists: Menomonee 1, North 7 (Rongstad 6). Fouls: Menomonee Falls 18, North 14. Turnovers: Menomonee Falls 14, North 12.

RECORDS: Menomonee Falls 0-2, North 3-0.