A free throw by Dominic Aguilar with 2.2 seconds remaining in the second overtime lifted the Fergus Falls boys basketball team to a 57-56 win over ninth-ranked Bemidji on Saturday afternoon at the Kennedy Secondary School Gymnasium in Fergus Falls.
The Otters got off to a fast start, taking a 23-8 lead and building it to 34-22 at the half. Bemidji started the second half on an 11-0 run to cut the lead to one point, but a three-pointer by Aguilar put the lead back to four points for the home team. From there the teams battled back and forth for the remainder of regulation play and ended the second half all event at 52-52. Each team scored four points in the first overtime, forcing the second overtime period with the score tied at 56-56. The Aguilar free throw was the only point of the second OT as the Lumberjacks held the ball for over two minutes before turning it over. The Otters took the clock down to just over five seconds before using a timeout to draw up a play. Aguilar received a pass cutting to the basket and was fouled with 2.2 seconds remaining, setting up the free throws. He intentionally missed his second foul shot but he was assessed a free throw violation for stepping over the line. That allowed Bemidji to set up a last ditch attempt at scoring but Coach Matt Johnson of the Otters put 6’9” Chance Fazio on the player throwing the ball in. The ‘Hail Mary’ pass attempt was picked off by Ashwin Stratton to preserve the victory.
Aguilar scored 20 points to lead the Otters and Nic Pearson added 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. Stratton contributed 9 points and Bauer Rogelstad came up with 6 rebounds.
Bemidji won the battle of the boards 35-32. The Lumberjacks were 18-for-34 on the line and the Otters made 13-of-19 free throws.
Spencer Konecne (13 points, 17 rebounds) had a double-double to lead Bemidji. Three players, Quincy Wilson, Ryan Bieberdorf and Colten Jensen finished with 11 points each.
Fergus Falls (11-10) has won three of their last four games. They will play at St. Cloud Apollo on Tuesday night and will host Sartell-St. Stephen on Friday.
