Staff photo by Travis Rosenau
Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s Brennan Bendix (2) gets a shot up past Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial’s Braxton Dudgeon (10) and Charlie Gengler (3) during a boys basketball game.
NEW ULM — Minnesota Valley Lutheran faced a tough challenge on Thursday night in a South Central Conference matchup against Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial. While MVL showed strong defense and solid rebounding for most of the game, they faltered at crucial moments, ultimately losing 80-77 in overtime.
MVL was ahead for a significant portion of the game thanks to their rebounding and defense. Coach Craig Morgan acknowledged their strong start: “Our defense got the lead for us … and then we rebounded.” However, as the game progressed, their rebounding slipped, allowing the Knights to climb back into the game.
Blake Sexton was a standout performer for the Chargers, scoring 20 points. Connor Bode contributed 19 points, while Brennan Bendix added 17. Meanwhile, the Knights’ offense was led by Charlie Gengler, who scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Brayden Mathews supported the effort with 16 points, and sophomore Carter Lowis made a big impact, scoring 12 points, including the key basket that pushed the game into overtime.
Lowis made a name for himself in the second half, scoring all his points after halftime, with his final shot being crucial. Coach Morgan noted, “We couldn’t rebound as well and when we had shots, we didn’t rebound on free throws.” The result was missed opportunities that allowed the Knights to take advantage.
Both teams struggled at the free-throw line, with MVL making only 10 of 23 attempts, and LCWM shooting 12 of 23. The Chargers led by as many as 12 points midway through the second half, but the Knights responded with a crucial 12-0 run, capped by a three-pointer from Jack Goeringer, to tie the game.
In the final moments of regulation, a three-pointer by Mathews kept LCWM in the game, allowing them to tie it just as time expired. The overtime session saw the Knights push ahead early. Though Bendix managed to hit a three-pointer to briefly give MVL a one-point lead, it was short-lived. The Knights quickly regained control with a 6-0 run.
As the clock ticked down in overtime, a tip-in by Sexton brought the Chargers within two. The last chance for MVL came after a foul sent Mathews to the line with just 1.5 seconds left. He made the first free throw but missed the second. Sexton grabbed the rebound but his long shot fell short as time expired.
The Chargers started strong, with Sexton scoring the first basket. However, the Knights quickly took the lead with their scoring inside and at the foul line. After falling behind 8-3, MVL went on a 10-0 run, with Bode scoring eight points during that stretch. They continued to maintain control and went into halftime leading 43-35.
Bode had a hot start in the first half with 17 points but slowed down later in the game as he focused more on passing. Morgan noted, “You want him to shoot when he’s open, but you don’t want him to force things.”
As the second half began, the Knights made adjustments and showcased their resilience. Braxton Dudgeon, with back-to-back layups, helped close the gap to 43-39. But MVL retaliated with a 9-0 run to pull ahead again before ultimately letting the game slip away in overtime.
With this defeat, MVL’s record fell to 11-11 overall and 3-5 in the conference. Meanwhile, LCWM improved to 14-7 overall and 6-2 in the conference. MVL’s next challenge will come against St. Clair on Tuesday.
Source link
Local Sports,Chargers drop OT game to Knights
