Alex Morgan scored 22 points as Pequot Lakes defeated Park Rapids 57-49 at the Area High School gym on Feb. 21 to earn a share of the Mid-State Conference boys basketball title.
The win gave Pequot Lakes a share of the conference title with Detroit Lakes after both teams ended Mid-State play with 8-2 records. Aitkin finished at 6-4, Crosby-Ironton went 5-5, Staples-Motley ended at 2-8 and Park Rapids had a 1-9 record.
Nick Michaelson (6), Jeff Haas (5), Shawn Ohm (4), James Hartig (3) and Kaiden Walsh (3) accounted for all of the points as Park Rapids trailed 27-21 at the half.
The Patriots opened the second half with an 11-3 run to build a 38-24 lead with 9:46 to play before Walsh hit three consecutive 3-pointers, Michaelson and Hartig hit jumpers, and Haas scored on a layup as Park Rapids cut the gap to 43-41 with 4:49 to play. Three baskets and two free throws by Morgan sparked a 12-5 run that gave Pequot Lakes a 55-46 lead with :10 remaining before Hartig hit a 3-pointer to make it 55-49 with :03 left.
Walsh (12), Michealson (12), Hartig (10) and Haas (10) scored in double figures for the Panthers, who fell to 3-21 on the season.
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Pequot Lakes, which defeated the Panthers 71-26 on Jan. 23, improved to 17-7 overall.
PEQUOT LAKES: Magnuson 5, Ackerman 2, Morgan 22, Jackson 6, Monahan 5, Laposky 8, Kotaska 5, Rysavy 4.
PARK RAPIDS: Hartig 10, Haas 10, Walsh 12, Michaelson 12, Ohm 5.
Halftime: Pequot Lakes 27, Park Rapids 21.
