Braham at Pine River-Backus

Recap

The Pine River-Backus Tigers, playing in their first section title game since 2013, failed to secure the program’s first trip to the state tournament falling to #10-ranked Braham 56-37.

An early 8-0 run staked the Bombers to a 10-3 lead, then after a PRB three cut the lead to 10-7, Braham used an 11-3 run to push the lead into double figures at 21-10. The lead grew to twelve at 27-15, then a free throw and bucket cut the lead to nine at the break at 27-18.

PRB scored first to begin the second half in the hopes an early comeback would be sparked, but Braham responded with nine straight points to gain a cushion again with a sixteen point advantage. The largest lead was 21 at 45-24 with around 8 minutes left when the Tigers started a rally. A 10-0 run in only about three minutes of play had the Tigers fans in a frenzy as the lead was cut to six with 5:30 to play. The experienced bombers, with several starters back from back-to-back section title game losses, reset and answered with ten straight of their own to put the game away.

The final was 56-37 as Braham returns to the state tournament after a ten year hiatus with a record of 24-6. The PRB Tigers finish at 25-5 and will graduate four seniors.