The Trojans spotted the Pirates five points before Grant Inniger got Barnesville on the scoreboard with a 10-foot jump shot. After Crookston built a 10-2 lead, Adam Tonsfeldt would net a steal and a layup with Inniger dropping in a three ball to cut the lead to three points.

Trailing 13-7, Barnesville would go on a 9-2 scoring run, starting with a Tonsfeldt basket, followed by a Sam Askegaard three-point shot. Tonsfeldt would net a steal and layup with Askegaard following suit, sandwiched around a Pirate basket that gave Barnesville their first lead of the contest at 16-15. But the Pirates would outscore the Trojans 24-11 to end the half giving Crookston a 40-27 advantage on the scoreboard.

The Trojans needed to change things up in the second half, looking to get the ball inside, while stopping Crookston from scoring.

After the Pirates opened the half with a layup, Kellen Hinsz would net the first of his 12-second half points on a layup of his own. Hunter Zenzen would tallying two free throws after a Pirate basket to score the first of his 12-second half points as well.

But, every time the Trojans would score, Crookston would answer. Inniger and Hunter Zenzen would tally layups, but the Pirates countered with a pair of three-point shots that made the score 50-35 with 12 minutes left to play in the game.

This is the point that the Trojans finally began to assert a presence on the defensive end as they outscored Crookston 20-5 to tie the game at 55 beginning with two Hunter Zenzen free throws, followed by a Hinsz offensive rebound and basket. Tonsfeldt and Kaden Zenzen would tally consecutive layups with the Zenzen brothers adding another pair of buckets around a Crookston basket to cut the lead to five points. Hinsz would connect on his first three-point shot of the game to knock the deficit down to two, but the Pirates would respond with a three ball of their own that made the score 55-50.

The Trojans would keep the pressure on as Tonsfeldt tallied a layup to cut into the lead with Hinsz tying the game on another three ball with 5:22 left to play in the game. After the Pirates made one of two free throws, Hunter Zenzen would score a layup at the four-minute mark to give the Trojans their first lead of the second half.

Both teams would trade points down the stretch as the Pirates knocked down two free shots with Inniger regaining the lead on a layup. Crookston hit their 11th, three-point shot of the game to make the score 61-59, but the Trojans Hunter Zenzen would convert a layup to tie the score at 61.

Barnesville would have the ball for the last shot and got off two good looks, but could not convert as the horn sounded sending the game into overtime. However, Barnesville had all the momentum as they outscored the Pirates 26-11 down the stretch.

The Trojans would open the overtime period with a beautiful drive and layup by Hinsz. Crookston would tie the game again on a layup with 1:11 to play, before a time out was called. Barnesville had the ball and quickly found Tonsfeldt in the left corner for an open three-point shot that tickled the twine, giving the Trojans a 66-63 lead with one minute remaining.

The Pirates ran the clock down before setting up a play. The Trojan defense was all over the Pirate players and forced a tough shot deep in the corner that almost rattled in. However, Hunter Zenzen secured the rebound as the Trojans dribbled out the clock to net a come from behind victory by the score of 66-63 in overtime.

“What a fantastic, gut-check victory for our team as we battled back down 15 points in the second half,” said Head Coach Todd Henrickson. “Our players never quit. They dug down defensively and attacked the basket on offense. We scored most of our points in the paint, which opened up some scoring opportunities from outside. Defensively, we limited them to one shot or got some key steals to prevent them from scoring. Adam Tonsfeldt made the game winning shot and was outstanding for us again tonight. Hunter Zenzen and Kellen Hinsz were fantastic in the second half as each player tallied 12 points after going scoreless in the first and everyone battled to the very end. It is awesome to come out of here with a victory.”

Tonsfeldt led the Trojans with 15 points to go along with eight assists and four steals, with Hunter Zenzen netting 12 points and six rebounds, while Hinsz tallied 12 points, five boards and two steals.

Askegaard came off the bench to score 10 points with Inniger adding nine points and five rebounds. Kaden Zenzen chipped in six points and three rebounds with Jason Henrickson netting two points in the victory.

The Trojans improved their record to 8-3 on the season.