With less than 30 seconds to play in UND's 79-45 win against Mayville State on Tuesday night, Sioux coach Gene Roebuck surprised Carly Rothfusz with an order.
"Carly, travel," Roebuck said. Rothfusz followed his order and traveled. The call was made and the clock stopped, allowing UND senior Charnay Mothershed to come off the floor to an ovation from the 1,580 Sioux fans at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
"She listened to me for once," Roebuck joked.
Seconds earlier, Roebuck subbed in a player for UND's other senior, Charnise Mothershed, who also received an ovation from the fans.
It was Senior Night at UND, where the Mothershed twins and Ashley Privatsky, a student coach, all were honored for their contributions to Sioux basketball.
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But it also was the last regular-season home game for Roebuck, who will retire at the end of the season after leading UND women's basketball for 25 years.
After the game, Roebuck talked about his seniors and UND's month-long surge that has the Sioux in position to make a run at the Great West Conference regular-season and postseason titles.
And there could be another home game for UND as the Women's Basketball Invitational tournament has expressed interest in the Sioux.
However, he didn't talk much about the fact that it could be his last time coaching the Sioux in Grand Forks.
"The last game; it really doesn't hit you right now," Roebuck said. "To me, it's another game. We have three conference games and conference tournament games left and who knows, the opportunity might be there that we get another home game.
"I'm not reflecting on this being my last game. I just want to see my team win the conference and conference tournament."
It was win No. 623 for Roebuck as UND's coach.
It was much like the previous 622; Roebuck didn't stop coaching until the final seconds, even though the game never was in doubt.
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With UND leading 67-33 with seven minutes to play, the Sioux committed a turnover that led to Hailey Longtin's 3-pointer for Mayville.
Roebuck quickly left the bench, called timeout and delivered some pointed instructions. Order needed to be restored.
Allyssa Wall led UND with 23 points. It was her fourth straight 20-point game. Megan Lauck finished with 13 as UND's crisp offense finished with 25 assists on 33 field goals.
UND's play of late has received a big boost from the Mothershed twins, who combined for 10 assists against the Comets.
"Even though we were up by 20, coach is on us to keep pushing," Charnay Mothershed said.
Nelson reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1268; (800) 477-6572, ext. 268; or send email to wnelson@gfherald.com .
