Staples-Motley advances to section final
MOORHEAD -- The Bagley Flyers came close to defeating Staples-Motley in Section 8AA semifinal boys' basketball action Thursday night at Concordia College before the Cardinals came away with a 60-55 victory.
Cardinals coach Lynn Peterson said his team had a good first quarter but the Flyers "got in our face in the second."
The Cardinals shot only 39 percent from the field in the first half and scored only nine points in the second quarter compared to the Flyers' 57 percent shooting in the first half and 15 points in the second quarter. Bagley led 29-28 at halftime.
Peterson said the Cardinals weren't at the top of their games against the Flyers.
"Were we capable of beating them? Yes," he said. "Were they capable of beating us? Yes."
Bagley finished the game shooting 53 percent from the field compared to the Cardinals' 42 percent.
The score was tied throughout much of the game and it wasn't until the last few minutes that the Cardinals were able to take the lead. S-M outscored the Flyers 32-26 in the second half.
The Cardinals were scheduled to play for the section title 7 p.m. today against the Crookston Pirates at Concordia. Crookston beat Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 47-36 in Thursday's other semifinal.
Peterson credited his players' experience for pulling them through. He said S-M has been through similar situations in the past and had the confidence to pull themselves together.
Two free throws by Jeff Brever with 14 seconds left and two free throws by Dustin Hjelmeland with six seconds remaining enabled the Cardinals to clinch the win.
Three-point shots also helped the Cardinals with Shannon Webster hitting six of 12 attempts, Jeff Brever making 1 of 2 and Dan Lund 1 of 3.
Webster was the Cardinals' leading scorer with 22 points, followed by Hjelmeland with 12, Wade Christensen with 10 and Jeff Brever with nine.
Bagley was led by Matt Hoie with 22 points, Mike Fore added 14 and Trent Sorenson 11.
Staples-Motley 19 9 16 16 -- 60
Bagley 14 15 16 10 --55
Staples Motley (60)
Tim Rutten 4, Shannon Webster 22, Jeff Brever 9, Wade Christensen 10, Dustin Hjelmeland 12, Dan Lund 3. Totals: FG 21-50 (42 percent), FT 10-11 (91 percent). Record -- 24-1. Next game -- 7 p.m. today vs. Crookston for section championship at Concordia College.
Bagley (55)
Trent Sorenson 11, Matt Hoie 22, Bruce Netland 2, Mike Fore 14, Stephen Staskivige 2, Jerry Larson 4. Totals: FG 21-40 (53 percent), FT 12-17 (71 percent). Record -- Finish 18-7.
3-point baskets -- SM 8-18 (Webster 6, Brever, Lund), B 1-7 (Fore). Rebounds -- SM 28 (Christensen 8), B 24 (Hoie 8). Turnovers -- SM 12, B 16. Total fouls -- SM 17, B 14. Fouled out -- B-David Larson. Assists -- SM 13 (Rutten 6), B 4. Steals -- SM 9 (Christensen 3), B 4. Blocks -- Hjelmeland.