One look at the final score of the girls basketball game between the Fulda Raiders and Adrian Dragons Friday, and it may be easy to think the outcome wasn't much in doubt.
That would be a misnomer.
Fulda, which built a 15-point lead in the second half, watched Adrian storm back to within one point with about six minutes left before slowly pulling away to a 69-54 victory, its 12th out of the last 13 games.
"It was a hard-fought game," Fulda head coach Gregg Slaathaug said, "but we were up 15 before the chaos broke out."
The chaos he referred to reached its peak with 8:01 left in the game. Adrian had hit four free throws to cut the lead to 47-36 before it appeared Fulda had drawn a foul against the Dragons' defense, yet one wasn't called.
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When Adrian went down and did draw a foul on a 3-point attempt by Erica Thier on the next possession, Slaathaug argued the call to no avail. Then, just seconds after issuing a warning, one of the officials hit Slaathaug with a technical foul.
Thier converted all five free throws -- three for the shot and two on the technical -- and Adrian ultimately pulled within 47-46.
That is when the experience and veteran leadership of the Raiders shined through, as the team scored 12 of the next 16 points to put the game away.
"We've played in a lot of big games," Slaathaug said. "The girls are very confident in what they can do as a team."
Sam Raddle and Laura Kramer picked up the slack tonight for the Fulda offense. Raddle scored a game-high 19 points, including five 3-pointers, and dished out 10 assists. Kramer, meanwhile, did her damage inside, putting up 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Fulda has rattled off 12 victories in 13 games, in part, because of its health. After a December where a number of players were on the shelf at different times, the new year has brought new prosperity for the Raiders, and a genuine appreciation for both who they're playing with, and how they are playing.
"We were really injured at the start of the year," Slaathaug said. "We're getting healthy, and the girls have a love for each other, and a love for the game. They love to play together."
Kramer echoed those thoughts herself, especially when talking about how the team fought off Adrian's 14-0 run in the second half.
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"We play well as a team and we pick each other up," she said. "We keep each other going."
Adrian (12-9) stayed in the game by way of its foul shooting and its ability to take care of the basketball. The Dragons were a strong 25-for-33 at the line for the game, and only turned the ball over eight times on the night.
"We had a couple ill-advised passes but, for the most part, we handled it well," Adrian coach Randy Strand said.
Yet, what did in the Dragons most was its cold night from the field, as the team hit 13-of-53 attempts (24.5 percent).
Sam Lynn led the Dragons with 18 points and five assists, and Brittany Bullerman added 10 points and eight boards, drawing praise from her coach after the contest.
"I wish she wasn't a senior, we'd love to have her back," Strand said. "She's come a long way."
Fulda (17-4) hosts a key match with MCC Thursday, while Adrian hosts Luverne Tuesday.
Fulda 32 37 -- 69
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Adrian 27 25 -- 54
Fulda (3FG-2FG-FT-TP): Sam Raddle 5-2-0-19, K.Kramer 0-3-4-10, N.Gunderman 0-1-2-4, Sar.Raddle 3-0-0-9, Speckmeier 0-5-2-12, L.Kramer 0-7-1-15. Totals: 8-18-9-69.
Adrian (3FG-2FG-FT-TP): Er.Thier 0-1-5-7, Em.Thier 0-1-0-2, N.Lynn 0-1-4-6, S.Lynn 3-2-5-18, Reisdorfer 0-1-5-7, K.Bullerman 0-1-2-4, B.Bullerman 0-3-4-10. Totals: 3-10-25-54.
