After a combined 57 fouls between Mankato Loyola and Maranatha Christian Academy, it was fitting that Thursday’s Class 1A quarterfinal matchup ended on the free-throw line.
Loyola freshman Lindsey Theuninck made two free throws with less than one second left in overtime, giving Loyola (28-2) a 93-91 upset over second-seeded Maranatha (23-6) at Mariucci Arena.
“I had my doubts about the game,” said Theuninck, who scored a game-high 37 points, “but I just knew that we would be able to pull it out and that we would get the win.”
Loyola and Maranatha combined for 88 free-throw attempts, slowing down what turned out to be the highest-scoring game in girls’ state tournament history. Both teams pushed the ball and pressed on defense, and they also turned the ball over a combined 60 times.
“I didn’t think it’d be a track meet like that,” Loyola coach Rick Theuninck said, “but they just force you to go and go.”
Maranatha led 81-77 with 21 seconds remaining in regulation. Lindsey Theuninck hit a jump shot with 15 seconds remaining, and Loyola freshman RaeAnn Dose tied the game on a layup with two seconds left.
After a back-and-forth overtime, Maranatha tied the game at 91 with six seconds remaining.
Theuninck was fouled with 0.4 seconds remaining while driving to the hoop, setting up her game-winning shots.
The 184 points scored topped the previous high of 168 points set on Wednesday in a Class 2A quarterfinal game between New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva and Pequot Lakes. That game ended in regulation.
Mankato Loyola outlasted Maranatha Christian Academy Wednesday at Mariucci Arena, defeating the Mustangs 93-91 in overtime in the Class 1A quarterfinals.
Loyola freshman Lindsey Theuninck hit a pair of free throws with .4 seconds remaining to give Loyola the victory. She finished with a game-high 37 points and made several key shots late in the game.
Maranatha had led 81-77 with 19 seconds remaining in regulation, but Loyola scored the final four points to tie the game. I
The combined 184 points scored made it the highest-scoring game in girls' state tournament history.
The previous record of 168 was set on Wednesday in a Class 2A quarterfinal game won by New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva over Pequot Lakes.
Check back later for more on the game.