11 points, 4 steals vs. Northfield
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Farmington survived a cold shooting night and a big size disadvantage to score a 47-42 Missota Conference victory over Northfield Friday night at Tiger Gym.
The win was the second in a row for the Tigers (3-12; 2-3) who lost their first nine games but now have split their last six.
"It was a great team effort," Tiger coach Sondra Chadwick said of the win over the Raiders (9-5; 1-3). "We took care of the ball, increased our defensive pressure and overcame a cold shooting night."
The match-up was one of a tall Northfield team and a Tiger squad long on speed and quickness. Those attributes led to a season-high 19 steals that played a big part in the win.
For most of the first half, however, the visitors held the edge. Northfield led 22-12 with just under five minutes to play before an 11-2 closing run by Farmington made it a one-point game at intermission.
The home team started out strong after the break, bursting to a 34-29 lead with 12 minutes to play. But then the shooting went in the deep freeze and with 4:30 to play the teams were deadlocked at 34-34.
Dava White's two free throws gave the Tigers back the lead and then after both Mariah Mincke and Taylor Meyer fouled out, Gabby White came though with six late points off the bench to ice the win.
Farmington shot a frigid 28 percent from the floor (18 for 59) but Chadwick said it wasn't for lack of good shots.
"We got a lot of open looks," she said. "The shots just wouldn't drop,"
Ironically, the locals were red-hot from the foul line where they converted 14 of 17 opportunities.
Isis Alexander led the Tigers with 11 points and four steals. Meyer filled up the stats sheet with nine points, eight rebounds, four steals and three blocks. Sofia Chadwick finished with eight points, four assists and a trio of steals.
The Tigers travel to Faribault Tuesday night for a non-conference game before returning home to face Missota Conference rival New Prague on Friday. Tip-off is 7:30 at Tiger Gym.
