Pack outlasts Chadron with 68-63 win

CHADRON, Neb. - Following Thursday's frustrating loss to Nebraska-Kearney, the Pack came into Saturday night's game with Chadron State ripe for the picking. Chadron was a team on the rise that had played well lately, going 2-3 in league play against stiff competition, looking to knock down the ThunderWolves on a hangover.

But to the credit of the ThunderWolves, they stayed focused and weathered several storms, claiming a 68-63 win over the Eagles.

The ThunderWolves looked to avoid a snowball effect by shaking up the lineup, inserting Michelle Ambuul and Kaylon Miller and sitting Rachel Espinoza and Sarah Staggs, who had started every game at the center position this season.

The result was a much-improved defensive effort on the boards, with Staggs as the ringleader. The sophomore took down a career-high 10 boards while junior Mary Rehfeld held things down on the offensive end, riding a hot-shooting night and pacing all scorers with 18 points.

"I told [Staggs] before the game that we weren't starting her because she's playing badly," Pack coach Kip Drown said, "but because we need the help rebounding and we need to focus on that. I've said all along that she has the ability to lead the conference in rebounding, and she showed that ability tonight."

With Staggs helping to minimize offensive boards for Chadron, the Pack's offense heated up. The Pack shot 50 percent from the field in the second half and 43 percent overall. Four players scored in double-figures, helped along by 11 three-pointers. Four of those threes were scored at the opening of the game, as the Pack's first 12 points came from beyond the arc.

"Sometimes the worst thing that happens is hitting threes early," Drown said. "You hit a few and then you fall in love with the arc. Hitting threes is one of the things we do best, but if you fall in love with the arc too much, you're not aggressive in other places."

The win improves the ThunderWolves to 9-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play.