MEDFORD GIRLS BASKETBALL - Klingbeil scores big, defense sparks run that pushes Raiders to first win
MEDFORD GIRLS BASKETBALL
Taylor Klingbeil had a monster night with 26 points and the Medford Raiders took advantage of 27 Chippewa Falls turnovers in a 53-38 road win over the Cardinals Thursday in non-conference play.
Klingbeil made 10 of 12 shots from the field, including three of five from 3-point range while setting a new varsity careerhigh for herself. Kayla Baumgartner added 13 points, most of which came in the second half when Medford finally pulled away from the Cardinals for good. The game was the season opener for Chi-Hi.
Medford rebounded from an opening loss at Shawano two nights earlier and improved to 1-1.
Chippewa Falls used a 6-0 spurt to take an early 10-7 lead. But the game changed when Medford's 2-3 halfcourt trap started to pop the basketball loose midway through the first half and the Raiders went on a 14-0 run. Baumgartner assisted on Klingbeil's transition basket, tying the game at 10-10, Rylee Hraby scored off a turnover and Baumgartner got a steal that led to a Klingbeil score.
Klingbeil drove the lane for two, Toryn Rau got a steal and took it coast-to-coast for a score and Klingbeil hit a 3-pointer to cap the run at 21-10. Medford led 27-17 at the half.
The second half opened with a bang for the Raiders as Klingbeil hit a 3-pointer and then got fouled while making her next long-range attempt. The four-point play made it 34-22 with 13:39 left. Baumgartner's 3 moments later opened up a 37-24 advantage.
The Cardinals, though, staying within striking distance until Baumgartner drove for a three-point play that made it 45-28 with 6:04 left. She followed that up with her third triple of the night and, off a turnover, Hraby fed Klingbeil for her final basket of the game, giving Medford its biggest lead at 50-30 with 4:50 left.
Hraby scored nine points for Medford, including a 3-pointer to finish the Raiders' scoring for the night. Rau had four points and Aliyah Pilgrim added a free throw. Baumgartner completed a double-double with 12 rebounds and she had seven assists, four steals and five blocked shots. Klingbeil had four steals, three rebounds and two assists. Pilgrim had three assists and Hraby had four steals.
Medford scored 19 of its points on turnovers. The Raiders shot 36.7% overall from the field (18 of 49), while the Cardinals were at 26% (13 of 50). Medford did struggle a bit at the free throw line, making just 10 of 22.
Chippewa Falls outrebounded the Raiders 46-28. The Cardinals were led by Rozlyn Twyman, who scored 12 points. Jillian Wik added nine.
Medford will play three straight games in Rhinelander this week. The Raiders are entered in Rhinelander's holiday event this weekend and will play Three Lakes-Phelps Friday at 2:15 p.m. and Division 4 power Eau Claire Regis Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Medford then opens Great Northern Conference play at Rhinelander Tuesday at 7:15 p.m.
