ALEXANDRIA, MN (KDLM) – The Laker girls basketball team defeated the Alexandria Cardinals in the Section 8AAA semifinals on Saturday afternoon 71-67 in double overtime.
“What a thriller,” said Laker head coach Rachel Johnson after the game. “It was the exact competition we expected from Alexandria. They gave us a real run. I am so incredibly proud of this team for doing whatever they needed to do to get it done today.”
The Lakers and Cardinals were tied at 20-20 after the first half, with the Lakers relying on a balanced scoring approach with six different Lakers scoring in the first half.
The second half saw Alexandria pull away at the halfway point and take a 5-point lead. Detroit Lakes was able to get back in the game thanks to some good free throws down the stretch. The Lakers clawed their way back and tied the game at 50, before Alexandria went up 53-50 with less than a minute left. The Lakers tied the game with 6.5 seconds left when Laker sophomore Helena Daggett drained a three-pointer to tie the game at 53-53 to force overtime.
“Ice in her veins,” said Johnson. “She knocked it down like the pro she is. That was awesome. It got us to overtime so we could make another run at them. Even being down five in the second half, we weren’t worried. In a close game like that, every point and every possession matters.”
The first overtime saw more of the same back and forth play between the Lakers and the Cardinals. Alexandria had a chance to take the lead when the game was tied at 58-58, but missed two free throws with nine seconds left, and the game went to a second overtime.
In the second overtime, Detroit Lakes was able to take the lead with more good free throw shooting and timely scoring. Detroit Lakes was able to hold on and get the victory.
“Our free throws started dropping,” said Johnson. “The first half was a little rough. Okeson made some clutch free throws in the first overtime. The girls came back, started finishing, made their free throws, locked up on defense, and did the little things they needed to do to continue the season. I am just overjoyed for these girls right now.”
The Lakers were led by Abby Larson and Helena Daggett, who finished the game with 17 points. Elle Bettcher finished the game with 12 points, and Grace Gunderson and Ella Okeson both finished the game with 11 points.
With the win, the Lakers will advance to the Section 8AAA championship game, which will be played on Thursday night when they take on the number one seeded Willmar Cardinals. Willmar beat ROCORI 48-41 to advance.
The Lakers and Cardinals played once already this season, with the Cardinals beating the Lakers back on January 7th, 54-26.
1st 2nd OT OT2
Alexandria 20 33 5 9 67
Detroit Lakes 20 33 5 13 71
Scoring summary:
DL – Larson 17, Daggett 17, E.Bettcher 12, Gunderson 11, Okeson 11, Hauser 2, Mace 1
Latest News
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!