The Lumberjacks jumped out to a 7-0 lead as the Otters struggled on offense in the early going. Tori Ratz scored from behind the arc and later had a conventional 3-point play as they Otters came back to take their first lead of the contest at 13-11. Bemidji regained the lead which grew to as much as eight (29-21) late in the half before the Otters closed it to four at halftime.  

The opening half saw Bemidji making 46% of their shots from the floor (11-24), while the Otters were a cool 9-of-26 for 34%.

Bemidji scored to open the second half before Fergus Falls got their offense in high gear sparked by a pair of treys off the bench from Anna Anderson. The Otters shot 58% in the second half making 15-of-26, while the Lumberjack went cold making just 23% of their attempts (6-28).

Ellie Colbeck had 19 of her game-high 24 points in the second half, with Ratz also in double figures for the Otters with 17. Hannah Polejewski added 8, all in the second half, and Paige Pearson 7. Top scorers for the Lumberjacks were Emily Wade (13), Beth Bolte (10), Alexie Tatro (9), and Jody Pemberton (8).

For the game Fergus Falls shot 47% from the floor and made 15-of-20 free-throws. Bemidji made 33% of their attempts from the field and were 12-of-20 at the line.

Fergus Falls won the rebounding battle 29-20, led by Paige Pearson with 9 and Colbeck with 7.  Colbeck and Ratz distributed 7 and 4 assists, respectively, and Colbeck also came up with 6 steals.

Winners of twelve straight, Fergus Falls ends the regular season with a 15-3 mark, and is certain to be the top seed in the South Half of Section 8AA when seeding comes out on Sunday and the tournament begins next week. They will play host on Wednesday to the winner of the #8 vs. #9 seed game, most likely between Wadena-Deer Creek and Frazee.

“Such a fun day to be a part of the Otter Girls Basketball program,” said Head Coach Brad Strand.  “All three levels won today! Bemidji varsity came ready to play and took a 4 point lead into halftime, but the Otter girls responded big in the second half.  I am super proud of our varsity team participating in the Polar Plunge to support our local Special Olympics.  Thanks to the Ottertail County Sheriff’s Department and all that helped make the day such a big success.  Now the tournament begins and our record is 0-0.  We can’t wait to compete at home on Wednesday night.  Thanks to the community for the awesome support all season under difficult circumstances.”

Fergus Falls 25  47--72
Bemidji         29  21--50                                                                                                          Bemidji--Bieber, 1 1-2 3; Bolte, 3 3-5 10; Huberty, 1 0-0 2; Johnson, 1 1-2 3;  Milbrandt, 1 0-2 2; Pemberton, 4 0-1 8;           Tatro, 3 0-0 9; Wade, 3 7-8 13. 
Totals:  17 (4) 12-20 50

Fergus Falls--Anderson, 2 0-0 6; Colbeck, 7 8-9 24;                      Hansen, 0 2-2 2; Nuss, 2 0-0 5; Pearson, 3 1-2 7;                         Polejewski, 3 2-2 8; Ratz, 6 2-3 17; Strom, 1 0-2 3.                                                                                           Totals:  24 (9) 15-20 72