(Longview, WA) The Red Devils fell short in their home opener vs the Peninsula Pirates on November 23, 2024, with a final score of 69-54. Despite showing moments of promise, the Red Devils faced challenges in key areas that contributed to the loss.
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Offensive Struggles:
- The Red Devils shot just 30.5% from the field, making 18 of 59 attempts, which hampered their ability to keep pace with Peninsula's offense.
- Although they converted 44.4% of their three-point attempts (4-of-9), their inside scoring (22 points in the paint) was overshadowed by Peninsula's dominance in the lane.
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Key Performances:
- Lisa Lorenz Conrotto led the Red Devils with 15 points, contributing from both the field and the free-throw line (6-of-9 from the stripe).
- Karlee VonMoos made a significant impact on the boards, securing a game-high 16 rebounds while adding 14 points and two blocks.
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Defensive Effort:
- Lower Columbia recorded 7 steals and 2 blocks, with standout defensive plays coming from VonMoos and Reigha Niemeyer, who also added two steals.
- Despite their efforts, Peninsula capitalized on turnovers, converting them into 22 points.
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Rebounding Battle:
- The Red Devils collected 35 total rebounds, including 12 on the offensive end, but were out-rebounded overall by Peninsula, who tallied 43 boards.
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Turnovers and Foul Trouble:
- Lower Columbia struggled with turnovers, committing 21, which allowed Peninsula to maintain offensive momentum.
- Foul trouble affected several players, with key contributors like Conrotto and Maris Baklund each picking up four fouls.
While the Red Devils showed resilience in the second half, they couldn't overcome the early deficit or match Peninsula's efficiency in the paint. With this game behind them, they'll aim to regroup and address areas like shot selection and ball security in preparation for their trip to Utah to face Snow College.
Next home game for the Devils is on Wednesday, December 4, at 5:30 PM vs the Clark Penguins.
