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Edge in rebounding, experience lead Stillwater past Park Center

By JIM PAULSEN, Star Tribune, 03/11/20, 2:30PM CDT

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Alexis Pratt scored 23 points and Liza Karlen added 19 in the Ponies' 82-52 victory.


Stillwater’s Alexis Pratt drove to the basket and drew a foul from Park Center’s Kayla Cox in the first half Wednesday at Williams Arena. Photo: ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com

Going into the state quarterfinals Wednesday, Stillwater coach Willie Taylor thought his team may have been underrated, at least in terms of No. 5 seed the Ponies received.

After they dismantled No. 4-seeded Park Center 82-52, it’s a difficult point to dispute.

The taller, stronger Ponies outrebounded Park Center 60-27 in reversing an earlier season loss to Park Center in early December.

“The seeding should be done like the NCAA does it,” Taylor said. “What do [teams] have right now instead of basing it on losses earlier in the season.”

The argument in favor of Taylor’s logic was evident on the Williams Arena court as Stillwater dominated from the outset.

First report

State tournament experience and a huge rebounding advantage lifted Stillwater to a comfortable 82-52 victory over Park Center in a Class 4A quarterfinal Wednesday at Williams Arena.

The No. 5-seeded Ponies, 4A runners-up a year ago, out-rebounded the No. 4-seeded Pirates 60-27 and made 10 of 28 three-point attempts. Alexis Pratt scored 23 points and Liza Karlen added 19 for Stillwater (24-5).

Park Center was led by Adalia McKenzie’s 18 points.

Check back later for  more on the game.

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