Lakers Boys Outlast Otters 66-65

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – The Lakers boys’ basketball team won a close game against the Fergus Falls Otters at the Lakeshirts Fieldhouse on Tuesday night. Detroit Lakes beat Fergus Falls 66-65 and improved to 6-4 overall. The Lakers were led by Devon Berg, who scored 23 points in the winning effort.

The Lakers came out swinging in the first half, jumping out to an early lead in the game’s first four minutes. The Otters answered back midway through the first half, being led by sophomore guard Henry Bethel, who finished the first half with 14 points. Despite only shooting 33% from the field in the first half, the Lakers found production from Devon Berg, who led the Lakers in scoring in the first half with 11 points. Fergus Falls went into halftime, leading the Lakers 32-29.

The Lakers shook off their sluggish field goal percentage in the second half and took the lead with 15:50 to go in regulation when Mason Carrier converted a four-point play. Carrier was fouled on a three-point shot, and then he made the free throw. However, the Otters did not go away, and the lead exchanged hands through the second half. The Otters were excellent from beyond the arc and relied on junior guard Hayden Knick to score 18 points, all of which were scored from three-point land.

In the final two minutes, it appeared the Lakers were going to coast to victory, but the Otters played good defense in the waning seconds. Detroit Lakes was up 66-61 with 22 seconds left when Mason Omberg went to the line and made one of two free throws making the score 66-62. The Otters made a three-pointer with 6 seconds left to cut the deficit to 66-65. Detroit Lakes gave the ball to Berg on the inbound pass, and he was immediately fouled. The Lakers went to the line and missed the front end of the one-and-one, and the ball went rolling out of bounds with two seconds left to go. According to the official, the Otters last touched the ball, and the Lakers inbounded the ball and did not give the Otters another chance.

Oliver Quam and Brandton Marsh both had double-doubles in the victory. Marsh had several highlight reel blocks and, in the second half, dunked the ball after stealing the ball at halfcourt. Marsh finished the game with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Quam had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Mason Carrier finished one rebound shy of a double-double, with 13 points and nine rebounds.

The Lakers remain undefeated at home this year and are now 4-0 on their home court. Three of the Lakers next four games will be played at home. Next up, DL will travel to Barnesville (5-1) on Friday.

Box Score:

DL 29 37 66

FF 32 33 65

Devon Berg had 23 points, two rebounds, and seven assists.

Mason Carrier had 13 points, nine rebounds, and two assists.

Oliver Quam had 12 points, 11 rebounds, and one assist.

Brandton Marsh had 10 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists.

Mason Omberg had 3 points, four rebounds, and two assists.

Ethan Carrier had 3 points.

Hunter Korth had 2 points, one rebound, and one assist.