(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Nick Varner hit a three-pointer at the end of regulation to force overtime and Daren Beenken scored seven points in the second extra session to give the Tigers an 83-75 win over Northfield Thursday night at Tiger Gym.
The Missota Conference victory gave Farmington a rare season sweep of the its neighbor to the south.
"You can pick your cliche," Tiger coach Shane Wyandt said, "but you really can throw the records away when we play them. Every game seems to go down to the wire."
After the Raiders jumped to an early 10-3 lead, the contest became a back-and-forth affair until the visitors closed the half on another 10-3 run to build a 36-29 lead.
"Our defensive intensity the first half wasn't there," Wyandt said. "They were cutting where they wanted to and getting the first rebound...We know that to be successful we have to control our defensive glass and get the ball out in transition."
The defense got better in the second half but the Raiders still looked to be in control with a five-point lead with 40 seconds to play. But then Johnny Dittman and Mackinley Bassett scored back-to-back baskets to cut the deficit to one.
Nick Varner 9 points, 18 rebounds
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Northfield's Eric Shepley hit two free throws with 8.5 seconds in regulation to set the stage for Varner's game-tying three, his first of the season, with less than a second to play.
"Nick has a good outside shot," Wyandt said, "but you hate to cut it that close."
Farmington had its chances in the first four-minute overtime but went just 1-4 from the foul line to end the period in a 69-69 tie.
Beenken scored the first four points of the second extra session as the Tigers eventually built their lead to nine points. Farmington won it at the charity stripe, hitting eight of 11 chances in the period.
"It all came down to defensive intensity and rebounding," Wyandt said. "When we do those two things we have been very hard to beat."
The win was truly a team effort with four players scoring in double figures. Bassett had 19 off the bench to lead the way. Beenken was right behind with 18. Freshman Zach Speikers netted 17 and Alex Chadwick chimed in with 14 in a reserve role.
Varner finished with nine points and a game-high 18 rebounds and Dittman, Eli Rockett, Jake Hanson and Tom Sell all contributed quality minutes.
"This was a big win for us not only in the conference but for the section," Wyandt said. "They (Northfield) have a better head-to-head record against some of the teams we are chasing in the section. We needed this."
Tuesday the Tigers head to Chaska for another Missota Conference match-up. Friday they return to Tiger Gym to entertain New Prague.
