Duluth, MN. – Behind a huge night from reigning GLIAC Freshman of the Year
Cassidy Arni, the Parkside Rangers defeated the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs on Monday night, 79-69. Arni scored 36 points, the most by a Rangers player in a single game since Alyssa Nelson posted 38 against Rockhurst on November 12, 2022.
Inside the Box Score:
- Cassidy Arni scored a career-high 36 points on 15-of-19 shooting. She added three triples, seven rebounds, an assist, and three steals in 30 minutes of basketball.
- Sheridan Flauger and Lillie Petersen contributed on offense, each scoring 11 points. Flauger led the team in assists with seven, while Petersen grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
- Parkside shot an efficient 50% (30-of-60) from the field as a team. After turning the ball over 20 times against Mankato, the Rangers protected the basketball, committing just six turnovers.
Quote from Coach Conely:
"Such a gritty win by our squad! I am so proud of them; we had a quick turnaround and a long bus trip after playing Mankato. The first half was sloppy, but we shot really well from three, and Cass (Arni) took over to tie it up at halftime. Such an incredible individual performance by her—she was cooking. It wasn't always pretty, but it was a great effort to get the win."
How It Happened:
The huge night for Cassidy Arni began from the opening tip. Arni stole the ball after it seemed Duluth was in control and took it straight to the rim uncontested for the first points of the game within the first five seconds. Sheridan Flauger, who struggled in her last outing, rebounded nicely by connecting on her first triple of the night to boost Parkside's early lead. Kaalyn Petersen helped extend Parkside's advantage in the opening quarter by converting a three-point play as she battled through contact for the and-one. The Rangers led 12-6 at the halfway point of the quarter, but Duluth began to battle back. A 9-0 run gave the Bulldogs the lead, and they carried a 19-18 advantage into the second quarter.
Duluth remained in control for the first five minutes of the second quarter. The Rangers went cold from the field, struggling to make shots, but their defensive intensity kept them within six points. With a minute and a half left in the half, Cassidy Arni delivered her second three-pointer of the night to pull the Rangers within one. Then, with 20 seconds remaining, it was Jaelyn Derlein's turn to shine, as she got a friendly bounce on a left-wing triple to knot the game at 39 heading into the locker room.
The third quarter belonged to Cassidy Arni. Entering the second half with 17 points, Arni quickly added to her tally with a bucket on Parkside's first possession. Moments later, Chloe Van Zeeland found Sheridan Flauger for a quick score, and the Rangers regained the lead—a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the game. Arni made her next five field goals, helping Parkside build a 53-47 advantage. She capped off the quarter with a deep triple, courtesy of Flauger's fifth assist, to complete a 15-point quarter. Arni entered the fourth quarter with 32 points.
In the final quarter, the Rangers maintained control as other players stepped up with key plays. Peighton Nelson and Lillie Petersen scored back-to-back buckets, with Petersen putting Parkside up 68-59 with 4:29 remaining. Sheridan Flauger delivered the dagger with a three-pointer from the wing with three minutes to play. Chloe Van Zeeland, Sheridan Flauger, and Lillie Petersen sank free throws in the final moments to secure the victory.
Next:
Parkside improves to 3-1 with three tremendous road victories under their belt. They will take a full week off before returning to action at De Simone Arena next week. The Rangers are set to face reigning GLVC Champions Lewis University on Tuesday night at 5:00 PM. For coverage of the event, visit
ParksideRangers.com/coverage.
