The Crookston Pirate Boys Basketball team led late in the game, but a 12-0 run in the final minutes gave the Theif River Falls Prowlers a 67-64 victory in a Section 8AA matchup played at Lincoln High School gymnasium in Thief River Falls.
FIRST HALF –
Crookston had a great start to the game as they went on an 8-3 run with a Reggie Winjum basket and after a TRF basket, a pair of three-pointers from Tyler Michaelson and Hunter Nicholas. The Prowlers answered with an 11-0 run with four points each from Bridger Wilcox and Everett Nelson, and a a three-pointer from Gannon Zutz for a 14-8 lead with 12:27 left in the half. Crookston’s Matthew Contreras stopped the run with a free throw and was followed by a Winjum three-pointer and Michaelson followed with a runner through the lane to tie the game at 14-14. The Prowlers took the lead on an Everett Nelson basket only to have the pirates answer with a Michaelson three-pointer for a 17-16 lead halfway through the half. There was two lead changes before a tie at 20. Crookston’s Nicholas hit another three-pointer and Winjum added a basket for a 25-20 lead. Thief River Falls chipped away at the Crookston lead and got within a 27-25 deficit with over two minutes left in the half. Crookston ended the the half on a 9-2 run. Winjum started the run with a three-pointer and Michaelson added a basket. After a TRF basket, Michael Deng scored on an acrobatic layup and Contreras finished the run with an offensive rebound and basket as time expired and the Pirates took a 36-27 lead into halftime.
SECOND HALF –
Crookston started the half with a Nicholas basket for a 38-27 lead. TRF responded with a 10-0 run with Wilcox scoring five points, Wyatt Nelson made a three-pointer, and a basket from Everett Nelson and Thief River Falls trailed 38-37 with 14:32 left in the game. The teams were tied at 40 before Crookston built a nice lead with baskets from Contreras and Michaelson made baskets and after a Prowler basket Winjum had a great drive into the lane and made the basket and was fouled. After making the free throw for the three-point play, Crookston led 47-42. Thief River Falls responded with six points, with four points from Caden Rose and two points from Everett Nelson for a 48-47 lead. The back-and-forth battle continued as Crookston’s Contreras hit back-to-back three-pointers for a 53-48 lead. Crookston took a 58-52 lead after a Winjum basket with 5:47 left in the game. Crookston’s shooting when cold over the next five minutes and Thief River Falls went on a 12-0 run. Wilcox chipped in five points, Everett Nelson added four, and Wyatt Nelson added a three-pointer for 64-48 lead with 1:10 to go. The Prowlers had a chance to solidify the win, but missed four straight free throws before Crookston’s Michaelson made a three-pointer with 23 seconds left. After two Prowler free throws, Michaelson added another three-pointer with six seconds remaining and Crookston trailed 66-64. Theif River Falls made one of two free throws with 2.8 seconds remaining. The Pirates grabbed the rebound and got the ball across halfcourt and a long three-point shot came up short and Thief River Falls held on for a 67-64 come from behind victory.
Crookston drops to 3-11 on the year and will host Roseau on Thursday. Thief River Falls improves to 7-6 on the year.
JV- TRF won 60-46 C Squad – TRF won 52-28
| 1st | 2nd | Final | |
| Crookston | 36 | 28 | 64 |
| Thief River Falls | 27 | 40 | 67 |
| For Crookston | Points | Rebounds | Steal/Assists |
| Tyler Michaelson | 19 | 4 | 2 steals/2 assists |
| Reggie Winjum | 17 | 2 | 4 steals/3 assists |
| Matt Contreras | 16 | 2 | 3 assists |
| Hunter Nicholas | 9 | 7 | 1 steal |
| Michael Deng | 2 | 3 | 3 assists |
| Rylan Lubarski | 2 | 6 |
| For Thief River Falls | Points |
| Everett Nelson | 23 |
| Bridger Wilcox | 22 |
| Wyatt Nelson | 9 |
| Gunnar Zutz | 7 |
| Caden Rose | 5 |
| Lucas Rantanan | 1 |
