Pack stages 2nd half comeback to defeat Bemidji State

Pueblo, COLO. - The ThunderWolves managed to stay several steps ahead of Bemidji State in the opening game of the Al Kaly Classic Friday, riding 19 points by senior Lindsay Black to a slim 74-67 victory.

The Pack was trailing the Beavers 36-33 at half and behind by eight midway through the second half, but benefitted off improved long-range shooting and tight fundamentals to climb back into the game.

Trailing 51-43 with 12:30 remaining in the game, the ThunderWolves went on a 9-0 run, benefitting from six points in the advance by sophomore Sarah Staggs, who made the start at the center position for the first time in her career.

"We went to the three quarters trap defensively, and that really changed the tempo of the game," Pack coach Kip Drown said of the ThunderWolves surge in the second half. "It allowed us to be more active and get more shots in the transition. When you're down eight, it's very easy to let it get away from you, and we made sure we didn't."

Following the run, the ThunderWolves fell behind again, trailing 63-57 with 4:13 left in the game following six straight points by the Beavers.

With no desire to roll over, the ThunderWolves promptly put up seven points over the next 40 seconds, sparked by a three-pointer by sophomore Caitlyn Jewell, who put up nine points coming off the bench to play the post, her career high.

From there, the Pack protected its lead and never let the Beavers get a toehold back into the game. Thanks to the Pack's keen free-throw shooting down the stretch, going 8-for-8 inside the game's final two minutes, the ThunderWolves held on for the win.

The win was a big one for the Pack, who opened the season 0-4 over two home tournaments last season, which hurt the ThunderWolves going down the stretch last season as they were trying to build consensus to get a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

"If we lost this game, we would really get the feeling of 'uh oh, here we go again,'" Drown said. "But to get this first win at home at our tournament, it's a real confidence builder.

The ThunderWolves will play the final game of the Al Kaly Classic Saturday at 5 p.m. against Drown's former team, Grand Canyon, as the Pack looks to open the season 2-0.