Nevis at Pequot Lakes

Preview

The Nevis Tigers, ranked #3 in Class A battled back and forth with the Pequot Lakes Patriots all night long, but the Patriots prevailed 62-61.

Nevis started the contest on a 10-0 run with efficient offense and the Patriots starting with cold shooting. Pequot Lakes scored the next six, and the remainder of the first half was a close battle. Nevis led throughout, but couldn’t pull away and the Patriots couldn’t pull ahead. At the break, the visiting Tigers led 28-24.

Pequot Lakes came out in the second half scoring the first five points to take their first lead at 29-28. The teams traded blow for blow the entire rest of the game as there were 11 lead changes and 8 ties. The final change came as Pequot Lakes’ Tollef Birkeland sank two free throws with about 20 seconds to go to give the Patriots the 62-61 lead that would eventually be the final. Isaac Bessler’s prayer shot at the end was just off at the buzzer.

Nevis’ post presence was felt throughout as Alex Lester lead 28 points and AJ Bessler scored 19. Pequot Lakes’ top scorer was Harrison Kennen with 21, 17 in the 2nd half and Birkelands’ 17.

The Patriots improve to 13-3 on the season as the Tigers fall to 12-3.