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The West Central Area Knights traveled to Parkers Prairie on Tuesday night and lost 57-51 in overtime. Parkers Prairie led 28-23 at the half. The Knights came out and battled back and took a 45-42 lead at one point but the Panthers would tie it at 49-49 with 35 seconds left. The Knights held for the last shot and got two good looks but they didn't fall.
The Knights scored first in overtime to take a 51-49 lead and the Panthers responded right back to tie it at 51-51. After the Panthers got a stop they scored again to go up 53-51. The Knights couldn't convert on their end and had to foul as the Panthers hit four free throws down the stretch to win it 57-51.
"We didn't shoot the ball well tonight," said Knight Coach Kraig Hunter. "A lot of that has to do with Parkers Prairie defense but we have to step up to the next level and be able to knock down those shots against better defenses. They also took it to us on the boards and we can't let that happen. We know against bigger teams we have to do an efficient job blocking out and gang rebound with all five guys."
The Panthers outrebounded the Knights 38-30. The Knights only hit 20-58 shots for 35% including 4-25 from 3-point land. The Knights shot 100% from the line going 7-7. The Panthers shot 45% (22-48) and made 6-of-21 threes. The Panthers made 7-15 free throws. "They only made 6-21 threes but the ones they made were timely. When they needed them, they made them and we didn't," said Hunter.
Leaders for the Knights were Brady Reeve (15 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists), Ryder Staples (14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists), Grant Beuckens (12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Xander Bontjes (4 points and 4 rebounds), Cole Anderson (3 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Tate Christenson (3 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Jacob Strunk (1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal).
Micah Ahrens led Parkers Prairie with 22 points, Owen Hezlop had 15 points and 12 rebounds, Riley Thoennes had 7 points and 9 rebounds, Cole Koep 6 points, Brendan Johnson 4 points, and Florian Koep 3 points.