Pioneers Fall to Clarke to Close Season

The Basics
Score: MNU 60 - Clarke 63
Record: MNU (19-5), CU (23-2)
Location: Tyson Events Center - Sioux City, Iowa

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - MNU's remarkable season came to a close in the Round of 16 with a close loss to conference foe Clarke on Thursday. The Pioneers started with a 6-0 run, but the Pride answered with 6 straight points to tie it. The rest of the game was tightly contested, with neither team taking more than a 5-point lead heading to the 4th quarter. MNU started the 4th with a 6-0 run to take a 1-point lead, and the game was tied at 50 with 6:35 remaining. Over the next 2 minutes, Clarke scored on 4 straight possessions while MNU went cold, and the Pride led by 8. With 30 seconds left, the Clarke lead was still 6, but the Pioneers fought back. Rachel Seibold hit one free throw, and Mackenzie Loe got the offensive rebound on the second shot miss. She made the layup and got fouled, and another missed three throw resulted in another offensive rebound by Anna Roulston. She was also fouled and made her two free throws for a 5-point possession and a 1-point game with 18 seconds left. MNU was forced to foul, and Clarke hit 2 free throws to take a 3-point lead. The Pioneers couldn't get a good look in the final seconds, and the Pride won by 3.

Turning Point
Clarke scored 8 straight points over a 2-minute stretch in the 4th quarter.

Individual Leaders
Mackenzie Loe shot 10-20 for a career-high 23 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 4 steals. Megan Scott had 10 points and 7 rebounds in 17 minutes. And Jordynn Gonzalez added 8 points and 6 assists.

Inside the Box Score
Clarke took 10 more and made 9 more free throws than MNU.

Up Next
The next game is the 2021-22 season opener.