Northfield's Annika Hoff (center) and Mankato West's Lani Schoper (left) and Holly Wiste battled for the ball during the second half. Photo: Elizabeth Flores * liz.flores@startribune.com
It was matchup No. 3 for Big 9 Conference foes Northfield and Mankato West. The Raiders just happen to be taller and pose matchup problems.
No. 4-rated Northfield had its four 6-footers combine for 27 points, 19 rebounds and five blocked shots en route to a 49-44 victory in the Class 3A quarterfinals at Williams Arena. The Raiders won all three matchups, the most recent being 48-37 a little more than a month ago.
The Raiders opened up their largest lead, 42-27, with just four minutes left. The margin was trimmed to four when Scarlets junior guard Ashley Gustavson sank one of two free throws with 18 seconds left.
Photo gallery: Class 3A quarterfinals
“When we play too fast we get into trouble,” Raiders coach Tony Mathison said. “This is the third team in a row we were playing for the third time. To expect us to pull away isn’t going to happen.”
Senior center Annika Hoff used her distinct height advantage to lead Northfield (26-3) with 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots. Hoff is 6-3 while the tallest Mankato West player on its roster is 5-10.
“Our height is a huge strength for us,” Hoff said. “We emphasize getting it into the post.”
Gustavson (15) and sophomore guard Holly Wiste (14) combined for 29 points for Mankato West (21-8).
“We tried to simulate it (height disadvantage) the best we could in practice,” Wiste said. “They are so much taller than us. It was hard.”
First report
It was matchup No. 3 for Big 9 Conference foes Northfield and Mankato West. The Raiders just happen to be taller and pose matchup problems.
No. 4-rated Northfield had its four 6-footers combine for 27 points en route to a 49-44 victory in the Class 3A quarterfinals Wednesday at Williams Arena. The Raiders won all three matchups, the most recent being 48-37 a little more than a month ago.
Senior center Annika Hoff used her distinct height advantage to lead Northfield (26-3) with 13 points. Hoff is 6-3 while the tallest Mankato West player on its roster is 5-10.
Mankato West (21-8) was led by junior guard Ashley Gustavson with 15 points.
Check back later for more on the game.
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