The lead in Cleveland vs host Madelia changed six times, but at the end, the B Clippers prevailed for a 30-22 victory on Thursday.
The Blackhawks, who beat the Clippers 33-23 early in the season, put in a basket from outside to crank up their scoreboard. But Natalie Flowers ran in a layup, Taylor Wolf bagged a pair of free shots, and Hadley Thompson drove for a bucket and a 6-2 Clipper advantage.
Madelia went on a 10-point run after, but a Flowers basket stopped the rally and started an eight-point Clipper spurt. Flowers drove the baseline for two, and Valentina Rohlfing sunk a basket from the perimeter and followed up with a pair of free throws for a 14-12 Clipper lead at the break.
The start of the second half was Madelia’s turn for a run, and with a trio of two-point baskets and a three, the Blackhawks went in front 21-14.
But once again Flowers broke up the rally, this time with a basket from three-point country. Continuing the comeback, Rohlfing stole and drove for a bucket, and Allie Anderson got into the mix with a two-point basket.
Madelia managed to put in the back half of two foul shots to briefly interrupt the Clipper surge, but the rest of the half was all visitors with another Flowers three, a Valentina twist inside for a basket, yet another Flowers three before Rohlfing plopped in a freebie to put the finishing touches on the triumph.
With 15 points, including a hat trick of threes in the second half, Flowers paced the Clippers. Rohlfing added nine points. Wolf, Anderson and Thompson each had two points.
The Clippers made five of six foul shots while Madelia made one of three.
The B Clippers return to action tomorrow (Tuesday) when they host Nicollet, a team they beat earlier in the season.
Above: Natalie Flowers led the Clippers with 15 points.
Allie Anderson extends for a jumper.
Valentina Rohlfing races down court.