Vikings turn back Canby, 55-41
After a slow start, Minneota revved up its offense and turned back Canby 55-41 in a Camden Conference game Friday night on the Vikings' home court.
"It wasn't a great night shooting from the outside for us," said Coach Chad Johnston, referencing a 2-for-12 statistical line on three-point attempts. "We have some quick, athletic girls and that leads to a lot of transition baskets for us. That enabled us to go on a couple of nice runs."
Abby Hennen had 19 points and Natalee Rolbiecki finished with 5 to pace the Vikings. Hennen made 7 of 15 shots from the field, while Rolbiecki sank 7 of 11 shots.
Canby, which had a height advantage in the paint, was patient on offense and was able to clean up on the offensive glass. The Lancers outrebounded Minneota 29-21, including an 11-4 advantage on the offensive boards.
"We didn't box out very well in the first half and they were able to get a lot of second and third looks at the basket with their offensive rebounding," Johnston said. "We did much better in the second half."
The Lancers' patient offense and the Vikings' cold shooting led to a low-scoring first half in which Minneota went into the locker room leading 21-15.
Minneota came out in the second half on a 10-3 run to widen its leads to 31-18 The Vikings built their biggest lead at 19 points, 44-25.
Abby Rost, who had eight points, led Minneota with six rebounds to go along with two assists and two steals. McKenna Yost finished with seven points and three rebounds. Rolbiecki had four rebounds and two steals. Hennen garnered three rebounds and dished out three assists.
Rolbiecki, who was more of an outside shooter last season, has moved into the role vacated by Morgan Hennen, who graduated last year.
"Natalee is one of those quick and athletic players we have and she is still getting comfortable in a new role," said Johnston. "She is scoring a lot in transition now and having to penetrate to the basket more than she was used to."
Minneota shot well overall despite the cold shooting from beyond the arc. The Vikings made 22 of 47 shots overall for 47 percent. Canby shot just 34 percent from the floor.
Maya Wente led the Lancers with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Kortney Leppke added nine points and five rebounds. Hannah Jelen and McKenzie Ruether had six points apiece.
Minneota 55, Canby 41
Halftime: Minneota 21, Canby 15
CANBY (total points) - Aidyn Bruns 5, Jayla Hulzabos 5, Hannah Jelen 6, Kortney Leppke 9, McKenzie Ruether 6, Camryn Ufkin 0, Maya Wente 10, Elysa Wollum 0. Totals 15-44 7-14 41.
MINNEOTA (FG, FT, Pts) - Abby Hennen 7-15 4-4 19, Kennedi Jurrens 0-2 0-0 0, Natalee Rolbiecki 7-11 1-2 15, Abby Rost 3-7 2-3 8, Jeren Rost 1-1 1-2 3, Ireland Stassen 1-4 1-2 3, McKenzie Tolk 0-2 0-0 0, McKenna Yost 3-5 0-0 7. Totals 22-47 9-13 55.
3-pointers: Canby 4 (Ruether 2, Hulzabos 1, Jelen 1). Minneota 2 (A.Hennen 1, Yost 1).
Rebounds: Canby 29 (Wente 14). Minneota 21 (A.Rost 6, Rolbiecki 4, A.Hennen 3, Jurrens 2, J.Rost 2, Yost 3, Stassen 1, Tolk 1).
Assists: Canby not available. Minneota 8 (A.Hennen 3, A.Rost 2, J.Rost 2, Rolbiecki 1).
Steals: Canby 3 (Ruether 2). Minneota 9 (Tolk 4, Rolbiecki 2, A.Rost 2, Yost 1).
Turnovers: Canby 16, Minneota 8.