Quantcast
skip navigation

1A: Minneota withstands Menahga comeback attempt

By RON HAGGSTROM, Star Tribune, 03/15/18, 2:15PM CDT

Share

The Vikings knocked off the previously undefeated Braves 74-69 to advance the semifinals on Friday.


Minneota center Lydia Sussner (52) shoots as Menahga forward Leah Schwartz (23) defends during the first half. Photo: LEILA NAVIDI • leila.navidi@startribune.com

Minneota looked like the unbeaten team, even under pressure.

The Vikings withstood a furious rally by previously unbeaten Menahga for a 74-69 victory in the Class 1A quarterfinals Thursday at Williams Arena. Minneota was seeded ahead of the Braves in the four-five matchup.

Sophomore guard Morgan Hennen’s three-pointer gave the Vikings an 18-point lead, 53-35, with 12:49 left. She finished with 18 points.


Photo gallery: Class 1A quarterfinals

“They weren’t unbeaten for no reason,” Minneota coach Chad Johnston said. “We knew they would come back. They really turned up the heat on us.”

The next 11 minutes saw the Vikings (26-4) struggle with Menahga’s diamond press. Junior guard Alyssa Peterson hit a three-pointer with 1:53 left, pulling the Braves (30-1) within 67-65. Peterson finished with a game-high 24 points.

“We had a stretch where we hit the panic button,” said Minneota junior center Lydia Sussner, who had 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. “We got out of rhythm, and had to get it back.”

Sussner restored order with a layup 14 seconds later, and followed it up with a blocked shot, defensive rebound and an assist on junior forward Lizzy Gillingham’s basket to extend the lead to six points. Gillingham also finished in double figures with 19 points.

“They reminded me a lot of ourselves,” Menahga coach Cody Pulju said. “The only difference was they had a big girl they could throw the ball to. They did that down the stretch.”

 

First report

Minneota looked like the unbeaten team, even under pressure.

The Vikings withstood a furious rally by previously unbeaten Menahga for a 74-69 victory in the Class 1A quarterfinals Thursday at Williams Arena. Minneota (26-4) was seeded ahead of the Braves in the four-five matchup.

Minneota built an 18-point lead early in the second half, only to see it cut to 67-65 with 1:45 left. Junior center Lydia Sussner then restored order with a layup 15 seconds later as the Vikings closed the game with a 7-4 run. Susser finished with 22 points.

Alyssa Peterson led Menahga (30-1) with a game-high 24 points.

Check back later for more on the game.

Girls Basketball Hub Headlines

View All |

Girls Basketball Hub Headlines

View All |

Tag(s): Home  Minneota  Menahga  Class A 

Share