Clutch Free Throws Put Huskies over Bronchos in Season Opener

Friday, November 8

St. Cloud, Minn.

6:00 P.M.

St. Cloud State

1-0,0-0NSIC

Central Oklahoma

0-1,0-0Mid-America Intercollegiate

Central Okla.

St. Cloud St.

Clutch Free Throws Put Huskies over Bronchos in Season Opener

11/8/2024 9:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

St. Cloud State Wins 68-63

St. Cloud, Minn.- St. Cloud State Women's Basketball (1-0) kicked off their season Friday evening as they squared off against Central Oklahoma. The Huskies got off to a strong start as they led 20-13 after the first quarter. St. Cloud State in the opening frame shot 50% from the field and made seven of their eight free throw attempts while holding UCO to a mere 31% from the field. The teams battled in the second quarter as St. Cloud State outscored Central Oklahoma 22-20 to lead 42-13 at the halftime break. The third quarter saw the Bronchos take momentum as the game started to get tight. UCO outscored SCSU 16-10 in the period as the Huskies would hold a narrow 52-49 lead heading into the fourth quarter. St. Cloud State regained control early as they used a 6-2 run to take a 58-51 lead with 6:42 remaining. The battle raged on as UCO used a 9-5 run to set the score at 63-60 with 44 seconds remaining. The ensuing offensive possession for the Huskies saw Jada Eggebrecht attack the paint and get fouled on her layup attempt. Eggebrecht made one of her two free throws to give St. Cloud State a two possession lead of 64-60 with 20 seconds remaining. The St. Cloud State defense came up big with a much needed stop as Alana Zarneke secured a big defensive rebound where she would get fouled. Zarneke would make both of her free throws, but UCO almost instantly drained a three-pointer with seven seconds remaining to bring them within three-points. The Huskies would call a timeout and then inbound the ball to Eggebrecht who calmly knocked down both free throws to set the score at 68-63. SCSU came up with another big stop as a rebound would seal their first victory of the season with a win over Central Oklahoma.

Top Huskies

Jada Eggebrecht led the Huskies in scoring for the evening as she tallied 17 points while grabbing four rebounds and recording three assists.
Ashley Sawicki recorded her seventh career double-double after scoring 10 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Sawicki also registered four stocks with 2 blocks and steals.
Abigail O'Reilly had a career night after setting multiple career bests including points (13), rebounds (8), free throws made (5), field goals made (4), and minutes played (26). O'Reilly also recorded her first career start.

Notables

St. Cloud State moves to 1-0 all-time against Central Oklahoma.
The Huskies led the game in field goal percentage (43.3-38.6), rebounds (43-36), assists (20-11), steals, (6-5), blocks (5-1), free throw makes (15-5), and second chance points 13-8).
Alana Zarneke set a new career-high in rebounds and assists after grabbing six boards and dishing three assists. She also scored nine points.
Paige Lambe recorded two blocks in the game, the eighth time she has swatted two shots in her career.
Reagan Briggs, Kylan Gerads, and Rachel Kottke all made their Huskies debut.

Up Next
St. Cloud State will be back in action tomorrow afternoon as they host Washburn at 4:00 p.m. for game two of the Central Region Crossover. For all the latest on St. Cloud State Women's Basketball, stay tuned to scsuhuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.