In their season opener on Tuesday, the B-squad basketball girls were in front at the break but narrowly lost to host Nicollet 44-42.
Taking a Kaitlyn Flowers pass, Mollie Bowman (above) scored her second basket to tie the game at eight. Delaney Thompson arced in a three and ran in a layup, Flowers scored inside, all alone, Bowman took a downcourt Thompson pass in for a bucket, and the Clippers were suddenly in front 17-10.
With a couple more Bowman baskets and an inside score from Keira Schipper, the Clippers led 23-18 at the intermission.
The Raiders posted the first five points of the second half for a 23-23 tie. Checking into the second half, Taylor McCabe scored on a jumper, and Schipper and Olivia Reinhardt each deposited a three.
Nicollet cashed in on a Clipper turnover to pull ahead 33-31, but Schipper scored from behind the arc, and McCabe put in a pair of inside buckets for a 38-33 Clipper lead. Dumping in a couple of threes, the Raiders scored 11 of the next 13 points though to take the lead.
Samantha Baker’s basket put the Clippers within two, 44-42, and after the Raiders missed a couple of freebies, the Clippers had an inbounds under their basket with 3.9 seconds left, but the Raiders swiped the pass to hang on for the win.
Schipper led the effort with a dozen points, half of them from behind the arc. Bowman had 10 points, and Thompson added seven points.
McCabe scored six points, Reinhardt had three points, and Flowers and Baker each put in a basket.
The Clippers made two of three free shots and four threes. Nicollet put in five threes and was three of 14 from the foul line.
The Clippers return to action on Friday when they host Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial.
Oliva Rienhardt drives to the net under pressure.
Keira Schipper launches a shot.
Delaney Thompson coils for a shot.
Taylor McCabe dishes off.
Kaitlyn Flowers dribbles down court.