Opening the basketball season in the Central Region Challenge in Alva, the Southeastern women notched a win in two contests against teams from the Northern Sun Conference.
Coach Darin Grover’s Savage Storm edged the University of Minnesota-Duluth, 87-85, in the opener before a 61-53 setback against Winona State to even their record at 1-1.
After a brief midweek home game this week, they’ll be back on the road for a lengthy trip to Florida to face Division 2 powerhouse Tampa University on Saturday at 1 p.m.
In the opening victory, it was nip-andtuck for three quarters with the teams deadlocked at 67 through three stanzas.
Caitlin Kobiske’s layup just seven seconds into the final frame put Southeastern in front to stay and the Savage Storm extended the advantage to as much as 10 at 83-73 on another Kobiske bucket with 4:31 remaining.
It was far from over though as Minnesota- Duluth rapidly cut the deficit to just a point with a 9-0 flurry over the next two minutes.
Bri Wietelman’s three pointer off an Abbie Barr assist thwarted the run of the Minnesota squad. They survived three missed shots and three offensive rebounds over the final 40 seconds with Kobiske sealing things with a free throw in the final second.
Southeastern shot 52 percent from the field for the game with 44 of the squad’s points coming in the paint. They also cashed in 12 Duluth turnovers for 17 points.
Kobiske had a monster offensive showing with a gamehigh 35 points, sinking 14 of 19 field goal tries along with six of eight at the charity stripe.
Kenzli Warden tallied 15 points and Holli Lindley also reached double figures with 12 while returning from a preseason injury. Stevie Stinchcomb tossed in eight and Barr added five.
All five other Southeastern players that got into the game also scored as Wietelman and Kaydrin Scott posted three apiece while Akiera Hawk, Eryn Dolan and Connie Hughes each pitched in two points.
Things didn’t work out as well in Saturday’s finale as the Savage Storm women watched a 28-26 lead slip away during a cold shooting third period as Winona State took control with a 20-10 scoring burst.
Southeastern struggled offensively on just 29 percent shooting while Winona State sank over 51 percent for the contest, including 10 three pointers. The Savage Storm managed only 16 points in the paint.
Warden hit seven of 13 field goal tries and recorded a teamhigh 15 points along with six rebounds. Kobiske tossed in 14 points and seven boards while also dishing out four assists. Lindley added 13 and five rebounds to tally double figures as well.
Barr ended just off that mark with nine points with Scott contributing two.