FULDA -- In a clash between two state-ranked girls' basketball powerhouses Friday night, the larger school Becker Bulldogs pulled away in the second half, defeating Fulda, 57-44.
Becker, ranked No. 2 in Class AAA, utilized the 22-point performance of 6-1 junior forward Brianna Mastey, to break open a close contest and post the team's 18th straight victory -- after a season-opening loss to AAAA Hopkins.
Fulda, the state's third-ranked Class A team and the defending state champion, rallied from an early 9-3 deficit with a well-executed 12-2 run -- spearheaded by a change to a 1-3-1 zone defense -- to earn a 15-11 lead with seven minutes to play in the first half.
The Bulldogs countered by scoring nine of the game's next 14 points and then snapped a 20-all tie by sinking a 3-pointer from the left corner with eight seconds remaining in the half.
Becker gradually expanded its lead in the second half, opening up a 17-point advantage (52-35), before the Raiders (18-3) rallied with six straight points.
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The Bulldogs spread the floor well at game's end and prevented Fulda's rally from getting any closer.
"We played hard," said Fulda head coach Gregg Slaathaug. "Becker has a great all-around team and we out-played them at times."
A highlight of the evening for Fulda happened early in the second half when Laura Kramer scored her 1,000 varsity career point.
"She has been the ultimate team player for us," praised Slaathaug. "I am so proud of how far she has progressed in the past four years. Her scoring is just a minor part of all that she has done for our team."
Kramer scored 15 timely points and pulled down 11 rebounds -- several of them during Fulda's first half surge.
A 6-2 senior post player, Kramer is sixth on the all-time assists list at Fulda and is the all-time leader in shot blocks with 321. She has 932 career rebounds.
Kaitlyn Kramer scored a team-high 16 points and had eight rebounds for the Raiders, who return to Red Rock Conference action with a game at Slayton Tuesday against Murray County Central.
Becker, which also received 14 points from Shelly Stemper, plays at Worthington tonight.
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Becker 23 34 -- 57
Fulda 20 24 -- 44
Luverne 61, Redwood Valley 57
REDWOOD FALLS -- Mindy Nieuwboer scored 16 points in each half to finish with a game-best 32, leading Luverne past Redwood Valley.
Samantha Gacke and Alyssa Klein each scored 10 points for Luverne.
Luverne (5-4, 13-6) hosts Pipestone Area Tuesday.
Luverne 35 26 -- 61
Redwood 28 29 -- 57
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PA 68, JCC 37
JACKSON -- Faith Tinklenberg led a balanced, efficient offense with 18 points as the Arrows beat the Huskies.
Traci Fransen topped JCC with 21 points.
PA (14-3) visits Luverne Tuesday.
PA 42 26 -- 68
JCC 20 17 -- 37
