The Orioles got off to a strong start and led 25-22 going into the half in their Cloverbelt Conference Crossover game where they hosted Gilman last week.

Marissa Gustafson led the team with seven of her 15 points in the first half. She finished with three rebounds and hit three shots from outside the arc. Lily Hoel chipped in nine points and 11 rebounds, while Teagan Becker scored another eight points. Aaliyah Moore scored six points and grabbed five boards. Leslie Derks also had five rebounds to go along with a pair of points. Emily Brenner chipped in four points and Kayte Licht scored a pair of points and had a rebound as well.

Emma Warner led the Pirates with 18 points.

“The game was a little rough but it was an exciting environment and it came down to the wire,” Coach Alison Becker said after the game. “You see a lot of games that come down to the wire like this in the tournament. Down the stretch we need to get stops on defense. We repeat the same things over and over about defensive positioning and boxing out,” Becker continued.

While they were rebounding and playing defense, the Orioles showed the positioning they’ve been working on in practice.

“We got three big stops and then Aaliyah made a free throw, Leslie made a free throw right before that,” Becker said of the young players that made big plays towards the end of the game.

The Orioles showed some different lineups after four players were in foul trouble, just one foul away from exiting the game.

“That’s why we have a team of more than five people. It was a great team effort. There’s been a few games this season where we find ways to get it down and hopefully build some confidence,” Becker said proudly of her team.

The #4 Orioles will host the winner of #5 Fall Creek and #12 Regis this Friday, February 28th at 7:15 p.m.

“We’re going to take it one game at a time but we’re up for a challenge,” Becker stated.

Photo by John McLoone.