Climax-Fisher Girl’s Basketball falls to #2 Kelliher/Northome in Section 8A Quarterfinals

The Kelliher-Northome Mustangs started the game on a 17-3 run and coasted the rest of the way as they beat the Climax-Fisher Knights Girls’ Basketball team 90-52 in the Section 8A Girls Basketball quarterfinals at the Ralph Englestad Arena in Thief River Falls.

FIRST HALF –
Kelliher-Northome had a great start to the game as they jumped out to a 17-3 lead in the first three minutes of the game. The Knights’ three points came from Peyton Hoffman, while four different players scored for the Mustangs. Climax-Fisher stopped the run with a Peyton Hoffman basket and a Lucy Paulsrud three-pointer to get within a 17-8 deficit. Kelliher-Northome answered with four points before Brooklyn Hoffman made a three-pointer to get within a 21-11 deficit with 11 minutes left in the half. Kelliher-Northome built a 29-15 lead before Peyton Hoffman scored four points and Paulsrud added a basket to bring the Knights within a 29-21 deficit with 6:34 to go. Kelliher-Northome’s Kate Thayer answered with five points, and a few minutes later the Mustangs led 38-25. Climax-Fisher’s Brooklyn Hoffman made a three-pointer and Peyton Hoffman added a basket to get the Knights within a 38-30 deficit with 3:10 remaining. Peyton Hoffman picked up her third foul a few seconds later and was taken out for the final three minutes of the half. Kelliher-Northome took advantage of the absence of Hoffman as they ended the half on an 11-1 run to take a 49-31 lead at halftime.

SECOND HALF –
Kelliher-Northome started the second half on a 23-7 run to take a 72-38 lead seven minutes into the half. Climax-Fisher’s Paulsrud went on a 6-2 run on her own to get within a 74-45 deficit with eight minutes left in the game. Kelliher-Northome continued to pull away and ended the game on a 16-7 run as both teams went to the bench the rest of the way, and Kelliher-Northome won the game 90-52.

Climax-Fisher’s season ends with a 17-11 record, and they say goodbye to the lone senior, Kadence Korynta. Kelliher-Northome improves 27-1 on the year and will play Warren-Alvarado-Oslo in the section semi-finals at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, a game you can watch on KROX TV and listen to on KROX Radio.