Lakers Eliminated by Bemidji in Semifinals

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – The Lakers girls basketball team concluded their season with a loss to Bemidji 67-51 in the Section 8AAA semifinals at the Ralph Anderson Gymnasium on Tuesday night. Detroit Lakes trailed by six points at the half and could not overcome that deficit as they fell against Bemidji.

The Lumberjacks targeted the Laker defense on drives and moved the ball back outside to break apart the Laker defense. The offense for Detroit Lakes could not get comfortable as they struggled from the field. Jacee Houser led Detroit Lakes in scoring as she finished the game with 14 points. The Lakers got 35 points from their starters and 16 points from their bench, with Grace Gunderson leading the way off the bench with 8 points.

The Lumberjacks were led offensively by Emily Wade, who finished the game with 22 points and made 12 of 14 free-throws. Jackie Johnson for Bemidji also had a solid night as she finished with 18 points. Johnson had some big-time shots to ultimately give the Lumberjacks the win and advance them to Section 8AAA Championship.

Bemidji will travel to face #1 Alexandria on Friday night. The Lumberjacks and the Cardinals met twice during the regular season, with Alexandria winning both games handily 76-52 and 64-48.

Alexandria beat Sartell St. Stephen in their semifinal matchup 50-30 to advance.

The Lakers end their season with an overall record of 12-7. Detroit Lakes will say goodbye to seniors Maddie Bowers, Sarah Tangen, Kylee Price, and Ava Gilbert.