WBB: Thunderwolves falter in fourth, fall to Bemidji State

They led through three quarters, but couldn’t hold on.

The Lakehead Thunderwolves women’s basketball team dropped a 79-67 decision Saturday night south of the border to the Bemidji State Beavers in their penultimate pre-season contest.

The Wolves hit the final stanza with a  55-52 lead, but the home side went on a tear in the fourth, outscoring Lakehead 27-12 to secure the victory.

Katelyn Andrea, returning from the injury list, and Blair McNaughton led the way for the Thunderwolves, each collecting 15 points.

Katelyn Zen snatched 11 rebounds, with Jerika Baldin chipping in six assists.

“I’m pleased with our play for three quarters today,” said LU coach Jon Kreiner in a releae. “We controlled the first 30 minutes and mixed our defensive and offensive looks. Things unravelled with less than six minutes to go and we struggled with our decision making, transition and interior defense. Plus we relied too much on the three.

“All in all a good prep game but I’d like to see a better effort for 40 minutes tomorrow.”

The Wolves and Beavers will tangle again on Sunday. Game time is 2 p.m.

Lakehead opens the regular season at home next Friday night against Guelph.