Pequot Lakes at Blake

Recap

The Pequot Lakes Patriots needed “Third time + 2 is the charm” as the Patriots shook the quarterfinal monkey off their backs with a 69-60 win over Blake at Williams Arena.

Things got off to a rocky, cold-shooting start as Blake took an early lead and extended it to 23-15 with 5:44 left in the first half. The Patriots offense finally found a rhythm, outscoring the Bears 17-8 the rest of the half, highlighted by a Gus McKenna baseline dunk that sent the Patriots’ fans into a frenzy. It was 32-31 Pequot Lakes at the break.

The Patriots would never trail in the second half, but couldn’t fully put Blake away, extending leads of ten and 9 only to have the Bears knock down big shots to stay within striking distance. It was 64-60 with 1:46 to go when the Patriots’ calling card, their defense, stepped up causing a couple big turnovers allowing them to ice the game.

Pequot Lakes had four in double figures with Tollef Birkeland leading with 15, Rock Holubar and Sam Afagwu each had 14, while Gus McKenna added 11.

The Patriots’ win streak is now at 22 and the 29-1 Patriots will play the Minnehaha Academy/Waseca winner Friday night in the AA semifinals at Williams Arena at 8pm.