Bay Women Victims Of Fatigue, North Iowa Triples

MASON CITY, Iowa---The North Iowa Community College Trojans made 17 three-point baskets, including ten in the first quarter, and overwhelmed the Bay College Norse women, 90-61, Saturday in Mason City, Iowa.

The Norse women had seven players suited up while the Trojans had 15.

Bay played much better than in Friday's loss to Ellsworth Community College, but were going up against a team that's highly-ranked in the region, and has national championship aspirations. The Norse countered with nine triples, and held their own in the rebounding game against the taller and deeper Trojans.

But the first quarter was the killer when the NIACC girls lit it up.

Bay trailed, 36-21, after the first ten minutes, and 47-27 at halftime.

Jordan Kraemer led the Norse with 26 points and 10 rebounds. She was held to five points in the first half as a tenacious full-court press hounded her.

Justice Kinnunen stepped up by scoring 14 points, including three three-pointers. Paige Welch added 13 points for the Norse (1-2).

Shayley Vessel had 17 points, including four three's, to lead NIACC in scoring. Thirteen of the 14 women who suited up for the Trojans scored, and twelve different girls made at least one three point basket. NIACC outrebounded Bay, 45-35.

Bay College Coach Rae Drake, Jr., refused to use his short bench as an excuse for the loss, but it was evident as the game continued that the Norse girls were being worn down. At one point in the fourth quarter, Drake called a time out to implore his players to finish strong...at both ends of the court.

The Norse women arrived home at 5 a.m. on Sunday (counting the hour gained by the time change) after the long bus ride from Iowa back to the U.P.

The Norse return home on Wednesday to host Alpena Community College. Game time is 5:30. It will be broadcast live on WMXG-FM (Maverick 106.3), and on-line at www.radioresultsnetwork.com.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to listenn to post-game comments from Coach Rae Drake, and hear Teidra Fuson's player spotlight interview.