Thiel went 16-for-20 from the floor and 8-for-10 from the free throw line, including making a 1 and 1 to push the lead from 3 points to 5 in the last remaining seconds. Willow also added 14 rebounds to round out her double-double.

"Willow was a machine tonight," said Head Coach TJ Super of the Yellowjackets. "When things weren't going well for the team, she was willing to carry us and keep the game close. In the second half, Willow was being triple teamed, but our girls still found a way to get her the ball. It was fun to see such a big number get put up in a big game!"

With 4 minutes left in the game Underwood held a 60-55 lead. They wouldn't score again as the Jackets finished the game on a 12-0 run to secure the 67-60 win. "Ryleigh Mickelson was in foul trouble in the first half and then came back and was awesome in the second half," noted Coach Super. "In fact, down the stretch she had 3 huge steals, including when we were down 58-60, she picked a girls pocket and dumped it off to Kennedy Pilgrim who tied the game with a great finish. Kaia Anderson hit two threes in the last few minutes, including the go ahead bucket on a drive and kick from Cora Grismer."  Anderson scored 13 points to join Thiel in double figures.

Kallyn Grove (18 points, 5 rebounds, 6 steals) and Emma Dirkman (11 points, 4 rebounds) were the leaders for the Rockets.  Liz Lukken, Trinity Baker and Mily Albjerg had 9 points each.  Baker added 5 assists, 7 rebounds and 3 steals for a solid floor game.

“We led the whole game until with about 2:30 left when they tied it up at 60-60,” noted Coach Hovland.  “They then came down and hit a big 3 the next possession.  We kind of ran out of gas and they went on a 9-0 run in the final 3 minutes.  We battled and will learn from this one.”

Underwood (2-1) will travel to Wheaton to face the Warriors on Friday night.

Perham (3-1) will host Park Rapids on Friday.