In the Suburban East Conference standings last season, East Ridge finished two spots ahead of Roseville, boasting a better record by two wins. Despite that, the Raiders handed the Raptors two losses, including one by a three-point margin.
The conference foes faced off for the first time this season on Friday night at East Ridge High School and the Raptors were able to defeat the Raiders 64-55. East Ridge coach Ashley Ellis-Milan noted the win as a big one for the Raptors’ program.
“(Roseville) is a really gritty team,” Ellis-Milan said. “They’re aggressive and they make you better. So we actually enjoy playing them and we know it’s going to be a dog fight at the end and I’m glad this time we came out on top.”
East Ridge took the lead early and never let it go in a 64-55 win over Suburban East foe Roseville on Friday night.
The Raptors (5-1, 2-0) had control throughout most of the first half, as they led 22-9 over 10 minutes into the game. The Raiders (2-2, 0-2) took a timeout and promptly responded with a 9-0 run to lessen the gap.
That Raiders run was mostly led by Kendall Barnes, who scored 14 of her game-high 26 points in the first half. She added seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The game remained a close battle through most of the second half.
With 10 minutes remaining in the game, it looked like the Raiders had the momentum. Sidney Klauer, who scored a team-high 20 points for the Raptors, went to the bench for five minutes after committing her fourth foul. Even without their leading scorer, the Raptors extended their lead during that time, getting key contributions from Grace Knupp, Emily Christenson, Bella Sanneh and Elle Wildman. Knupp, Christenson and Sanneh each finished with at least 10 points and five rebounds, and Wildman led the game with eight assists and five steals.
The MN Girls' Basketball Hub poll is for entertainment purposes only.