The challenge of taking on undefeated and the Class 3A's No. 1 ranked Fergus Falls grew for the visiting Detroit Lakes girls' basketball team, as they were without their leading post player Shay Nielsen.
The sophomore forward suffered a foot injury in the game prior to the matchup with the Otters (19-0) Tuesday, but DL put it all out on the line, despite a 52-35 loss.
"Taking on a very talented Fergus Falls team without Shay was a huge challenge and the kids were up to it," said DL head coach Mike Hoganson. "They played extremely hard and handled Fergus' full-court pressure."
The Lakers (8-11) were able to break the Otters' press the majority of the time, but the Otters proved to be too strong from the perimeter and the inside.
"Defensively, the girls made Fergus Falls work for their points, since they came in averaging 72 points per game and we held them to 52," Hoganson said.
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Despite trailing 25-11 at halftime, the Lakers pulled to within eight points with seven minutes left in regulation, but the Otters drained a big three and sealed the game at the free throw line by going a combined 8-9 at the charity stripe.
Sophomore point guard Kyley Foster led the way with 13 points, while junior post Brooke Olson had nine and senior guard Karli Kerzman eight.
The Otters were led by Bailey Strand with 14 points, Brianna Rasmusson with 12 and Hanna Swenson with 10.
"I thought the girls sent a message that we can play at this high level, which will help come tournament time," Hoganson included.
The Lakers will host Wadena-Deer Creek (11-9) Monday for a 7:15 p.m. start.
Laker results
Detroit Lakes at Fergus Falls, Tuesday, Feb. 5.
Lakers 11 24 - 35
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Otters 25 27 - 52
Scoring (2-3-ftm-fta-pts) -- DL: Kyley Foster 3-0-7-10-13; Megan Lindquist 1-0-0-1-2; Trisa Hutchinson 1-0-1-2-3; Karli Kerzman 1-2-0-0-8; Brooke Olson 4-0-1-4-9. TOTAL: 10-2-9-17-35.
FF: Devonie Smith 0-2-0-0-6; Kristin Traiser 1-0-0-0-2; Bailey Strand 2-2-4-4-14; Brianna Rasmusson 3-2-0-0-12; Kathryn Sawtell 1-0-0-0-2; Hanna Swenson 4-0-2-3-10; Anna Monke 2-0-2-2-6. TOTAL: 11-9-8-9-52.
