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Flat Otters fall to Spuds
Published 10:49am Wednesday, December 19, 2012A flat start from the Fergus Falls boys basketball team allowed Aaron Lien and the No. 10 (Class AAAA) Moorhead Spuds to capitalize on the Otters home court as the visitor loaded the bus at the end of the evening with a 79-63 win.
The Spuds were able to gain early control of the game as a balanced Moorhead attack had the Otters on their heels in the first half. Fergus would go into the locker room at the break trailing 45-27.
The Otters came out in the second half with more energy, but merely traded baskets with the Spuds for the remainder of the game to snap their three game winning streak.
“I was disappointed with the effort in the first half, but felt better about how we played in the second,” Otters’ coach Dave Rund said. “Our schedule is too tough to come out flat. We need to play with energy from start to finish to be competitive.”
Lien, a MSUM Dragons recruit, flashed his skills at the Kennedy Secondary Gold Gym dropping in 33 points on the evening. Austin Nelson (18), Cody Dorow (14) and Zack Dobbins (10) were also in double figures for Moorhead in the game.
Reece Johnson put up 18 points as he led the Fergus in scoring. Teammates Austin Rund and Mike Millard added 14 and 11 points, respectively.
The Spuds were able to edge Fergus on the boards 31-30, but a key factor for Moorhead was the 15 for 20 night from the charity stripe.
The Otters will have another test Thursday evening as they welcome in the No. 8 (Class AAA) Willmar Cardinals for a Central Lakes Conference showdown. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
MHS 45 34 — 79
FF 27 36 — 63
MOORHEAD (79) — Aaron Lien 33, Austin Nelson 18, Cody Dorow 14, Zack Dobbins 10, Tanner Swenson 3, Brett Lawerence 1. FG – 30/53 3’s – 4/11 FT – 15/20
FERGUS FALLS (63) – Reece Johnson 18, Austin Rund 14, Mike Millard 11, Jackson McAllister 8, Isiah Lemke 4, Cody Breen 4, Dustin Schmidt 3. FG – 24/60 3’s – 6/20 FT – 9/17
