Tip Off Classic recap: Rochester John Marshall and Jamie Ruden surprise Elk River, 60-52

#10-rated Elk River roared out to early leads of 18-8 and 20-10, and appeared to be on their way to an easy win over unranked Rochester John Marshall. But JM turned the tables, making 8-of-13 shots the rest of the first half including two quick buckets by Jamie Ruden for a shocking 34-32 halftime lead.

The Elks’ Gabby Haack scored the first bucket of the second half to tie it up at 34-all, but then it was more of the same as the Rockets made three straight shots and 7-of-13 to close a 40-21 run and take a 48-39 lead. The Elks got within 48-44 but no closer.

Elk River did everything right early on, hitting 4-of-6 threes and forcing 5 early JM turnovers. But the made just 2-of-11 threes the rest of the way. And the turnovers, 5-1 in the Elks’ favor early, were a more equitable 18-16 the rest of the way.

Meanwhile, Ruden got hot. She scored 11 first-half points but just 5 in the first 12 minutes. She added another 14 the rest of the way for a total of 25 on 9-of-20 shooting.

Rochester John Marshall 60, Elk River 52

Score by half:
Rochester JM 34-26—60
Elk River 32-20—52

Rochester JM: Ruden 24, N. Fautsch 14, Haider 8, K. Fautsch 7, Milligan 5, Agoth 2.

Elk River: Haack 14, Scheid 9, Kramer 8, Cox 5, Grunewald 5, Lachmiller 5, Trittin 2, Langbehn 2, Wentland 2.

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