(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Farmington (4-8) stayed with two-time defending Section 1 champion Owatonna (7-1) Thursday night at Tiger Gym but in the end, turnovers, missed lay-ups and a huge free-throw disparity led to a 74-66 loss.
"With the turnovers and the missed shots, it's like a re-wind," Tiger coach Shane Wyandt said. "We play well in spurts and then we go into a stretch where we can't seem to get anything done.
"I probably can't say what I would like to about the foul disparity but let's just say it's curious as to how that can happen against a team that pressures the ball like they do."
The Huskies went to the free throw line 42 times in the contest, including 30 in the second half, while the Tigers finished the night making 10 of 13 tries.
Farmington built a 20-15 in the first half before the visitors closed on a 14-7 run to take a 29-27 lead. Most of the 14 first half Tiger turnovers came on the Huskies closing surge.
"The bad part about that is that most of those were unforced," Wyandt said.
Alex Chadwick drained a three-pointer to start the second period for a one-point lead but soon after the unending trip to the foul line began and the home team trailed the rest of the way.
The Huskies led by as many as 12 points although four free throws by Nick Varner help cut the deficit twice to six points in the final three minutes.
Darren Beenken led the Farmington scorers with 18 points. Three other Tigers cracked double figures with Chadwick and Bassett each netting 13 and Varner 10. Freshman guard Zach Speikers added eight off the bench.
Wyandt said that although his team has more than its share of things to work on, he was pleased with the way it battled through adversity and played hard to the final horn.
"It could work out that we will be paired with them (Owatonna) in the section," he said. "I don't think they will be wanting to play us again."
The Tigers open Missota Conference play next Thursday (Jan. 12) at Shakopee.
