Grace Gunderson drained a game-changing three-point shot from the top of the key that spurred the Detroit Lakes girls basketball team to a 63-53 Section 8AAA victory over Sauk Rapids-Rice Saturday, March 13 at Ralph Anderson Gymnasium.
Gunderson’s shot came with 7:55 left in regulation time and broke a 39-all tie in a game that back-and-forth up to that point.
Detroit Lakes kicked into gear after the three-ball going on a 13-9 run to lead 55-48 with two minutes remaining and would not let the Storm back in the game.
The Lakers had to break a full court press early in the game heading to a timeout up 16-14 midway through the first half.
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The Storm backed out of the press and methodically crawled back into a one-point lead at halftime 28-27.
Alex Bettcher scored the first five points for DL out of the break and Jacee Hauser upped the lead to five points 35-30.
The teams tied three times up to Gunderson’s shot at 35, 37 and 39-39 on an Abby Larson free throw.
The Gunderson three got a big cheer from the Laker bench and the players on the court responded.
Bettcher and Larson both got to the line aplenty putting fouls up on the Storm starters. Storm center Mia Rogholt and leading scorer Kyanah Evans both fouled out of the game.
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The visitors left 14 important points off the scoreboard shooting 55% from the line (17-31). The Lakers were 22 of 33 (66%).
Sauk Rapids-Rice dropped to 4-13 on the season. Detroit Lakes improved to 11-5 and are 3-0 against section teams.
The win solidified the No. 2 seed in the upcoming 8AAA tournament, behind only No. 1 Alexandria.
Detroit Lakes wraps up the regular season at Crosby-Ironton (14-3) in Crosby Monday, March 15 in a battle for second place in the Mid-State Conference. Both teams are 6-2 in Mid-State play. Pequot Lakes has wrapped up the championship with a record of 8-1.
Detroit Lakes 63, Sauk Rapids-Rice 53
SRR 28 25 - 53
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DET 27 36 - 63
SRR - Ady Froiland 15, Kyanah Evans 11, Courtney Paulsen 8, Grace Roesch 8, Mia Rogholt 5, Mackenzie Felchle 4, Mackenzie Felchle 2.
DET - Alex Bettcher 28, Abby Larson 11, Maddy Bowers 7, Grace Gunderson 7, Jacee Hauser 6, Mya Anderson 2, Sarah Tangen 2.
