(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Taylor Meyer scored 14 of her 15 points in the second half and pulled down a game-high 18 rebounds to spark the Tigers to a come-from-behind 48-43 Missota Conference win Friday, Feb. 4, at Red Wing.
The victory raised Farmington's season record to 16-2 and more importantly 6-2 in the Missota, good enough for a four-way tie for first place with Chanhassen, New Prague and Shakopee with six games remaining on the league schedule.
"This win was huge," coach Jason Berg said, "especially after being down at half. The place was packed and our kids showed a lot of toughness down the stretch. It was a zoo the last three minutes."
Cold shooting in the first half hurt the Tiger cause. The locals made only seven of 19 shots and missed nine of 14 free throws in the opening period and trailed 22-19 at intermission.
"We played pretty well except we didn't finish our offensive opportunities," Berg said. "In the second half we were much more efficient shooting the ball. We still didn't shoot free throws very well (10-17) but we made seven of eight down the stretch."
The increased efficiency showed right away with eight unanswered points that gave the visitors a lead they would hold the rest of the way. Elena Koch started the run with a three-point play and Meyer finished it with a pair of baskets, one the only Farmington three-pointer of the night.
The Tigers led 41-34 with three minutes to play but then missed three straight bonus opportunities from the line to give the Wingers life. Meanwhile, Red Wing standout Tesha Buck drained a pair of three-pointers to make it a one-point contest.
Paige Steele's two charity tosses made it 43-40 but Buck answered with a two-pointer to put the pressure back on the Tigers.
Jamie Kenealy hit one of two from the line with 29 seconds remaining to make it a two-point game and after a Buck missed a contested three-point shot, Meyer went on to make four straight free throws to put the game away.
Koch and Kenealy joined Meyer in double figures with 12 and 10 points respectively. Kenealy dished out a team-high five assists while Steele and Meyer each came up with a trio of steals.
The Tiger defense held the Wingers to just 35 percent shooting (17 of 49) and won the battle of the boards 39-32. Eleven of Meyer's season-high 18 rebounds came in the first half.
Berg also lauded the play of Sarah Silber who saw extended action in the first half.
"Elena (Koch) got two early fouls," he said, "and Sarah gave us some really good minutes."
The Tigers plate is full of opportunity this week as they play host two of the three other conference contenders, Chanhassen on Tuesday and Shakopee on Friday.
"I feel good about our team," Berg said. "We have played all three teams we are tied with on the road, so now we get them at home. I like our schedule."
