By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
If close games counted as wins, it would have been a perfect week for the NRHEG boys’ basketball team.
As it was, they’ll settle for a pair of strong performances.
The Panthers played well but lost twice last week, falling to Blue Earth Area 46-45 on a last-second tip Tuesday and succumbing 71-65 at Mankato Loyola Friday.
The Panthers ran their record to 3-6 in the Gopher Conference and 5-12 overall.
A tip at the buzzer by BEA sophomore Luke Monson was the difference in Tuesday’s game at Blue Earth, which saw four lead changes in the last two minutes.
“It was a classic finish,” said NRHEG coach Pat Churchill. “We'd hit a big shot and they'd make one.”
Matt Carlson hit a three-pointer with 7.8 seconds left to give NRHEG a one-point lead. Blue Earth called time out and quickly brought ball up the court for a shot. The Bucs tipped it twice and the ball bounced and laid on top of the rim for what seemed like forever before dropping in.
“It was a tough loss for our boys,” said Churchill. “It felt like a football game that whoever had the ball last was going to win and unfortunately that is what happened. We just needed to make one more play to win that game and we didn't and that makes the difference between being really happy and completely depressed. We feel snake bit right now because we have come so close and just can't get over the hump. Our boys are tough minded and have not been getting down even though we have some loses they are still fighting and working to get better.”
Carlson finished with a game-high 24 points. Lucas Meyer scored eight, Tyler Sorenson seven, Carter Tollefson four, Sam Lundberg four.
BEA improved its record to 5-7.
Friday at Loyola was another close one that started like a track meet.
“The offense outshined the defense early with the score 21-21 only seven minutes into the game,” said Churchill. “I looked up at the score and time and thought we are on pace to get 100 points and knew we needed to pace ourselves a little more or we would be spent at halftime. Luckily they went zone and that slowed the game down considerably and only 21 more total points were scored the last 10 minutes.”
Loyola ended the first half on a 6-2 run to take a 35-28 lead at halftime.
The Crusaders went up by 12 early in the second half but the Panthers battled back, pulling within three and keeping it close the rest of the way.
“Ty and Matt were huge offensively for us, Matt in the first half and Ty in the second ,” said Churchill. “On a night where defense struggled a little, we didn't get the stops we needed to get over the hump. When we needed a stop they got a layup. We have played some very good teams very tough lately and feel that we are close, but we must continue to work hard and improve. I truly believe we will get there.”
Tyler Sorenson scored 24, Carlson 22, Lundberg six, Spencer Hanna five, Meyer four, Carter Tollefson two and Nic Mangskau two.
The Panthers host Bethlehem Academy Tuesday. They play at United South Central Friday and at Blooming Prairie Jan. 31.