Aitkin at Crosby-Ironton

Recap

F/OT

Aitkin head basketball coach Scott Stanfield told us he had been catching up with some old friends before the game; he and the locals in Crosby had to wait an extra four minutes after regulation to finish catching up.

The first half saw four ties and two lead changes, as Aitkin came back from down 6-2 (first 6 scored by C-I’s big man Jordan Oehrlein) to go on an 11-0 run for their first lead. At the half, the undefeated #15 Crosby-Ironton Rangers led 23-21.

A six point lead at 31-25 was the largest, as Aitkin kept chipping away, limiting second chance opportunities from coming to fruition for the Rangers. The visiting Gobblers took the lead for the first time in the half at 37-36 on a Jaeland Williams free throw. With Aitkin adding on a couple, C-I’s Carsen Turk drained triples on consecutive trips down the floor to tie, then take the lead 42-39. A few possesions later, down by one, Jaeland Williams drained a three to take the lead for Aitkin again. Answering for Crosby-Ironton late was Jordan Oehrlein to tie it up for the fourth time of the half 44-44, and that’s where it sat after 36 minutes.

Aitkin struck first in the OT, but was answered by Crosby-Ironton repeatedly. The four minutes of extra play featured 5 tie scores and 4 lead changes. Carsen Turk came up with a free throw to tie it at 52-52 to start a 5-0 run for the Rangers, who never gave the lead back. Playing the foul game, Aitkin was down four and looking for a quick bucket when a trailing Zackary Macdonald hit from beyond the arc to make it 56-55. C-I sopohomore Jordan Mount drained a pair of foul shots to guarantee no loss on a made shot. Aitkin couldn’t get a good look for three, and 40 minutes was enough on Tuesday night. Tuesday’s game marks the second time in two years these two teams have played each other for more than the regulation 36 minutes. (2 OT win for Aitkin last year on their home court).

Carsen Turk scored 18 and Jordan Oehrlein 15 for the Crosby-Ironton Rangers.
Will Meyer added 11 points for the undefeated Rangers in the Mid- State conference game.

Aitkin’s Gus Sanford scored 13 followed by 12 points from Zack MacDonald and Jaeland Willams and Landon Janzen’s 11.

Crosby-Ironton will take their 13-0 record and 9-0 section mark into Friday, as they host Pequot Lakes on Skeeter 101.5.

Aitkin falls to 3-7 and will host Park Rapids on Friday in a game that will be heard on KKIN-AM The Gobbler and YourLiveEvent.com