When Thief Rivers Falls’ Jenna Tadych and Tiahna Nicholson both fouled out in the second half Tuesday against top-seeded Hutchinson, a simple thought went through Thief River Falls coach Jeff Loe’s mind.

“Oh boy,” he said.”We had to scramble.”

The Tadych-Nicholson post tandem had helped form the perfect storm that allowed Thief River Falls to have a chance at an upset bid. Without them, the Prowlers went to a small lineup and a pressure defense, hoping to hold on.

Thanks to big play from guard Kylea Praska, they did just that. Unseeded Thief River Falls won 61-59 in the Class 3A quarterfinal.

“We’ve talked about believing all year,” Loe said. “These girls have learned ways to win.”

Hutchinson began 1-for-18 shooting. Their top scorer, Tori Wortz, left early in the first half because of an apparent eye injury. Behind 13 points from Makenzie Rensch and 12 from Morgan Kurth, the Tigers (23-6) still managed to lead for much of the second half in what was a physical game.

“I couldn’t tell at a point there if it was rugby or basketball,” Hutchinson coach Tim Ellefson said. “It was quite embarrassing, honestly, to have a game mean so much and be that ugly.”

Nicholson finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Praska scored 23, including five in the final 1:19, as the Tigers (26-3) scrambled their way to a huge upset.

Unseeded Thief River Falls upset top-seeded Hutchinson with a 61-59 victory in the Class 3A quarterfinals Tuesday at Target Center.

Kylea Praska led the Prowlers with 23 points, and Tiahna Nicholson added 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Hutchinson (23-6) started 1-of-18 shooting, and the Tigers’ leading scorer, Tori Wortz, left early in the first half with an injury and didn’t return.

The Tigers (26-3) were still able to come back and led for much of the second half, but Praska led Thief Rivers Falls down the stretch and helped the Prowlers pull off the upset.

MaKenzie Rensch scored 13 to lead Hutchinson, and Morgan Kurth had 12.