Girls Basketball: Lakers defeat Spuds 44-42; will travel to Sauk Rapids-Rice on Thursday

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – On Tuesday night, the Lakers girls’ basketball team managed to beat the Moorhead Spuds with a score of 44-42 at the Lakeshirts Fieldhouse, following a nail-biting finish.

Although the Spuds had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, they missed the buzzer-beater, and the Lakers secured their third win of the season, a much-needed boost after a two-game losing streak.

The Lakers took the lead just over three minutes into the first half and held on to it, building a ten-point lead at 13-3. In the first half, the Lakers scored three three-pointers, with Ella Okeson accounting for two and Helena Daggett adding one from long range.

By halftime, the Lakers were leading 23-15, with Okeson leading the team’s scoring with eight points.

In the second half, Moorhead started strong, scoring the first five points, narrowing the deficit to 23-20. The game got tighter, and the Spuds managed to keep it close, with Moorhead’s Julia McAdams leading the team’s scoring with 15 points. With only 16 seconds remaining, the Lakers led Moorhead 42-40.

The Spuds intentionally fouled Daggett, who made both free throws, increasing the Lakers’ lead by four. Moorhead successfully converted to make the score 44-42. With four seconds left, Moorhead quickly moved the ball up the floor and missed at the buzzer.

Karlee Mace led the Lakers in scoring with 13 points. DL’s Ella Okeson also got into double figures, finishing with 10 points.

The Lakers’ record improved to 3-2, while the Spuds fell to 2-4.

The Lakers have a big section matchup on Thursday when they travel to Sauk Rapids-Rice. Sauk Rapids-Rice defeated DL last year in the semifinals of the section playoffs, ending the Laker’s season.

Tipoff on Thursday is slated for 7:15 pm.