PARKSIDE 80, LAKE SUPERIOR STATE 62
The Rangers were able to shut down the Lake Superior State Lakers on Thursday night, which clinched a trip to the GLIAC Championship for the first time in Parkside women's basketball history. Ali Bettencourt led the team with 19 points that included four 3-pointers. The game was sponsored by Chick-fil-A as it was also Academic Achievement and Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night.

Parkside doesn't have the possibility to host a home game in the GLIAC Tournament and can finish anywhere from the No. 5 to the No. 8 seed. The GLIAC Tournament starts on Tuesday, March 5 on campus sites. 

HEAR FROM COACH CONELY
"It was a big win over a scrappy LSSU squad," first year head coach Jen Conely said. "I thought in the first half we made them take tough shots and we were able to convert in transition."
"In the second half, I thought we didn't have the same defensive intensity and their baskets allowed them to slow the pace down and set up their zone," Conely added. "I was glad that we were able to keep our composure after they went on a run."

"It was great to see Ali getting in rhythm-great presence of mind on the shot clock when she hit the almost half court shot," Conely concluded. "Overall, we are happy that we are officially in a GLIAC tournament and know that we have another big game on Saturday."

GAME SUMMARY
The opening minutes of the game were balanced for both teams, until the just under 5:00 when a 3-pointer by graduate student Ali Bettencourt propelled the Rangers into a 8-0 run, bringing the score to 13-6. As the first quarter ended, the score increased to 17-12 with Parkside holding the lead. The second quarter went back-and-forth but the Rangers held the Lakers to eight points while scoring 19. As the game went to halftime, the Rangers led 36-20. Junior Carolina Rahkonen started the third quarter out on a hot streak scoring the first six points for the Rangers. The teams went even for much of the second half, but Bettencourt highlighted the half by showing off her range on a 3-point shot from nearly half court as the play clock expired. The Rangers kept their lead throughout the entirety of the game and didn't let LSSU back in after they shut them down in the second quarter.

STATWORTHY
The Rangers had four players score in double-figures, as Bettencourt paced the team with 19 points followed by Rahkonen (14), freshman Hannah Plockelman (13) and redshirt-senior Blair Arthur (12).  Arthur grabbed seven rebounds to lead the team followed by Eishold and Cheston both with six. Parkside shared the ball nicely tonight with a total of 16 assists. The Rangers scored 12 second chance points and the Parkside bench chipped in 26 points.

WHAT'S NEXT
Parkside will host Ferris State on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. This is senior night for the Rangers' seven seniors to celebrate their hard work and dedication towards Parkside Athletics. It is also a White Out sponsored by Goodwill.