Boys basketball: Tigers winning at the wire
Close games haven’t been kind to Farmington over the last couple of years. Entering last week, the Tigers were 6-15 in their last 21 games decided by single digits. That dated back to a 53-51 section tournament loss to Winona at the end of the 2008-09 season.By: Matt Steichen, The Farmington Independent
Close games haven’t been kind to Farmington over the last couple of years.
Entering last week, the Tigers were 6-15 in their last 21 games decided by single digits. That dated back to a 53-51 section tournament loss to Winona at the end of the 2008-09 season.
The Tigers finally saw some late-game breaks start to fall in their favor — and some late-game shots fall through the basket — last week as they scored a pair of one-point Missota Conference wins over Holy Angels and Northfield.
Senior Sebren Baer sank the Stars last Tuesday in Richfield when his jump shot beat the buzzer to give the visitors a 44-43 win. Three days later, the Tigers failed to connect on a field goal, but made five free throws in overtime to seal a 50-49 win over rival Northfield at Tiger Gym.
The Raiders trailed 31-18 at halftime before rallying to take their first lead at 39-38 with 5:50 to play. They moved ahead by two on a putback with 53 seconds left, but Farmington’s Darren Beenken responded with a three-pointer from the corner to make it 45-44 Tigers with 35 seconds left.
Northfield went to the free-throw line with 7.9 seconds on the clock, but made just one of two to send the game to overtime.
In the extra session, the Tigers made 5 of 8 free throws to take the lead, then held on when the Raiders stole the ball with 13 seconds left and missed a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer.
Alex Michels led the Tigers with 14 points. Austin Bassett and Baer each scored 11 and Beenken added eight.
The Stars missed an opportunity to salt away Tuesday’s game when they missed three free throws in the final two minutes. Their lead remained just one point, setting up Baer’s game-winner.
The Tigers started the game on a 10-2 run, but Holy Angels pulled to a 21-21 tie by halftime.
Michels led the charge with 14 points. Beenken scored 12, Baer dropped in eight and Ruthenbeck tacked on seven.
The Tigers, now 7-7 overall and 2-1 in the league, face a couple of challenging Missota opponents this week. They traveled to ninth-ranked Chaska on Tuesday and will host New Prague Friday night at Tiger Gym.
Tags: boys basketball, sports, farmington, tigers, prep
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