Central Lakes College's women upset the nation's sixth-ranked NJCAA Division III basketball team, Mesabi Range, on Sat., Dec. 4 to avenge a 53-50 loss to the Norse on Nov. 19. Behind 17 points from Nikki Pearson of Staples and stifling interior defense, CLC won 64-61. The loss was the first of the year for Mesabi Range; the Raiders improved to 6-3. Trailing by seven at the break, CLC surged thanks to the play of Kelsey Wheeler of Longville, who came off the bench and scored 11 points. "We made some adjustments and Kelsey came in and played a great game," Coach Dennis Eastman said. "This is the best I have seen her play. She did a great job on (Jessica) Love. Love is a big girl but Kelsey was in there fighting. I think everyone did a great job today, the best they have played." Fri., Dec. 3 Lindsey Roos of Brainerd and Wheeler provided energy off the bench for a 63-48 win over Vermilion. Wheeler played 12 minutes and scored six points, including 4-5 from the free throw line, and added five rebounds. Roos, who returned from a knee injury sustained early this season, played 18 minutes and scored seven points. She also had four free throws down the stretch for the Raiders. Stephanie Neugebauer the scoring with 13 followed by Katie Hochsprung's 11. Hochsprung added nine rebounds and Neugebauer accumulated five steals. The Raiders had 35 offensive rebounds and made 23 of 38 free throws. 
Dec 6, 2010
Raider women upset Mesabi
Central Lakes College's women upset the nation's sixth-ranked NJCAA Division III basketball team, Mesabi Range, on Sat., Dec. 4 to avenge a 53-50 loss to the Norse on Nov. 19. Behind 17 points from Nikki Pearson of Staples and stifling interior defense, CLC won 64-61. The loss was the first of the year for Mesabi Range; the Raiders improved to 6-3. Trailing by seven at the break, CLC surged thanks to the play of Kelsey Wheeler of Longville, who came off the bench and scored 11 points. "We made some adjustments and Kelsey came in and played a great game," Coach Dennis Eastman said. "This is the best I have seen her play. She did a great job on (Jessica) Love. Love is a big girl but Kelsey was in there fighting. I think everyone did a great job today, the best they have played." Fri., Dec. 3 Lindsey Roos of Brainerd and Wheeler provided energy off the bench for a 63-48 win over Vermilion. Wheeler played 12 minutes and scored six points, including 4-5 from the free throw line, and added five rebounds. Roos, who returned from a knee injury sustained early this season, played 18 minutes and scored seven points. She also had four free throws down the stretch for the Raiders. Stephanie Neugebauer the scoring with 13 followed by Katie Hochsprung's 11. Hochsprung added nine rebounds and Neugebauer accumulated five steals. The Raiders had 35 offensive rebounds and made 23 of 38 free throws. 