With the Clipper girls taking over early in Cleveland 68, visiting Mankato Loyola 43 on Monday, head coach Myrriah Rutz and company used most of the 36 minutes as an opportunity to sharpen their offense, the aspect of their game that, when the road gets tougher, seems to affect the Clippers the most.
“We were really just trying to focus on honing in on our offense, so it works how we want it and running it with more than a few passes,” Rutz said, “trying to get everyone on board, and do reps with it.”
The Clippers never trailed. Taylor McCabe took the jump ball inside for the first two of her 19 points, and Harper Rutz stole and drove from coast to coast for a layup to get the game in motion.
Later, Emma Kortuem bagged a three for a 20-11 Clipper advantage. With a couple of threes, the Crusaders hung around, but McCabe made a quick steal near the Clipper basket and scored just before the buzzer for a 32-22 Cleveland lead at the break.
The Clippers, who escaped the Fitzgerald gym with a 44-38 win back on December 4, kept their collective foot on the gas pedal in the second half to cruise to a Parents’ Night fifth victory.
McCabe dumped in four two-point baskets in the first half and five in the. Rutz added six baskets from the floor and made all her six free shot attempts for 18 total points. Kortuem totaled 12 points, including a pair of threes. Brooke Bosse posted eight points. Mollie Bowman contributed two baskets from the floor. Hadley Thompson, Ava Kluntz and Valentina Rohlfing each chipped in a basket. Natalie Flowers made a free shot.
The Clippers made 12 of 19 foul shots. Loyola put in four threes, two more than the Clippers and seven of 21 foul shots.
The Clippers travel to Madelia tomorrow (Thursday) for a 7:00 p.m. contest, although the time could be changed due to weather. The B squad, which was idle on Monday, is scheduled to take on the Blackhawks at 5:45.
Above: The Clippers presented their parents with a red rose on Parents’ Night.
Mollie Bowman stretches for a shot.
Brooke Bosse takes a look at the bucket.
Olivia Reinhardt drives to the basket.
With 19 points, Taylor McCabe led the Clippers.
Before the game, Mollie Bowman and Taylor McCabe spoke about the importance of their parents’ support. (photo by Walker Froehling)
Olivia Reinhardt and her parents. (photo by Walker Froehling)