Avenging their season opening 44-42 loss, the Clipper B girls edged visiting Nicollet in a defensive battle on Thursday, 23-22.
Taylor McCabe left the game after the half, and Mollie Bowman was out with an illness, but the Clippers, ahead by seven, managed to hang on in the second half.
Samantha Baker (above) drove a basket to put the Clippers in front 23-15. It was all Raiders after that, but they missed a couple of free throws that would have made the difference.
After the opening tipoff, Baker put in a free throw, and Taylor Wolf scored from the floor. The Clippers tied the game at six after a Baker steal and ensuing Keira Schipper jump shot that was the start of an 11-point run.
Kaitlyn Flowers assisted Schipper for an inside basket and followed up with the Clippers’ only three.
McCabe pulled down an offensive rebound and put it back up for a bucket. Ava Kluntz’s offensive rebound and jumper from the baseline put the Clippers in front 15-6.
The Raiders, who also had their best player saved for varsity, hit a layup before the buzzer, but the Clippers led 15-8 at the break.
Nicollet came out in the second half with the first basket, but Flowers drove through the lane for two points, and Olivia Reinhardt dropped in a bucket from outside. After Flowers plunged through the lane again, the Clippers were in front 21-11.
The Raiders responded with a three and a basket from the floor. After Baker’s basket, the Clippers missed outside shots while the Raiders scored from behind the arc, grabbed an offensive rebound and scored and then made the back-end shots during two trips to the foul line.
With seven points, Flowers paced the Clippers. Schipper had four points. Baker and McCabe each had three points. Kluntz, Wolf and Reinhardt each had a basket.
The Clippers made two of nine free shots. Nicollet made a pair of three-point baskets and two of 13 free throw attempts.
The Raiders are coached by Taylor Holicky (CHS 2014).
The Clippers return to action on Tuesday when they road trip to Lake Crystal.
Keira Schipper pulls down an offensive rebound.
Kaitlyn Flowers winds up for an outside jump shot.
Taylor McCabe takes the ball toward the lane.