Lakers Improve to 2-0 With Win At St. Louis Park

Two road wins isn't a bad way to start a season. That's how the Minneapolis Southwest girls basketball team started its 2010-11 campaign after the Lakers topped St. Louis Park, 48-39, on Saturday afternoon in the west metro.

"That's not bad," Southwest head coach Robert Grace said of the 2-0 start on the road. "I told the girls that even the (Minnesota) Vikings haven't managed to win two away from home."

Following a 66-51 season-opening win at St. Paul Como Park on Tuesday, Nov. 30, the Lakers pulled away from their hosts during an inconsistent first half to lead by as many as 14 points in the second half before holding on against a late Orioles charge to win by nine points.

"We're a work in progress," Grace said of his team's efforts on Saturday. "Our energy was down early, but we picked it up as the game went on."

Southwest appeared to have the game in control with a 45-31 lead with six minutes to play. However, the Orioles chipped away at the visitor's advantage to pull within seven points as the Lakers went without a basket for over four minutes.

In the end, Southwest was able to right its ship in time to run out the clock and preserve the victory with three clutch free throws to keep the Orioles at arm's length before the final horn sounded victory for the Lakers.

"It's a tough loss for us," St. Louis Park coach Ha-Keem Abel-Khaliq said. "Southwest is a good team though."

Senior guard Erica Parker led the Lakers' balanced scoring result with nine points, with junior guard Rayna Lindsey logging seven points, while junior forward Maddy Horan and sophomore center Kali Place each chipped in six points.

Southwest opens its home schedule on Monday, Dec. 6 against Robbinsdale Cooper with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.

"Cooper is a good, athletic team," Grace said. "They are a team from our section and it will be a good test for us."