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| Darren Beenken 20 points, six rebounds (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
Thirteen players scored for the winners who snapped a two-game losing streak and raised their season record above .500 at 4-3. The loss dropped Harding to 2-4.
"We told the guys they would have to create their own intensity," coach Shane Wyandt said. "We knew with the holidays there wouldn't be a lot of people in the gym.
"We were playing at a little different time and against a team that plays a completely different style than we have seen so far. It was a good learning experience for us"
The Tigers brought their intensity and then some, matching the Knights' up-tempo play while forcing the visitors into a rash of early turnovers on the way to a commanding 48-27 halftime lead.
The shooting numbers told the tale of the first 18 minutes. Farmington finished the opening period shooting a robust 60 percent from the field, including a blistering six from 10 from three-point range.
"The thing I liked about the three-point shots is they come out of our offense," Wyandt said. "At Century it was one pass and a shot. Tonight we reversed the ball and ran our stuff."
Darren Beenken had 14 points, Zach Speikers 12 and Alex Chadwick eight to lead the Farmington first half assault.
Wyandt said he shouldn't have needed to remind his team that despite the huge lead the game wasn't necessarily over.
"Last year we had them down by 27 and had to scramble at the end to win by three," he said. "They have a lot good athletes who can score in a hurry."
But this time it was the Tigers who filled the basket. Farmington kept attacking the rim as it built its lead to 74-39 to kick in running time. From then on the reserves owned the floor.
Farmington finished the night shooting a gaudy 65 percent (34 of 52) from the floor, including a seevn-of-12 night (58 percent) from behind the arc.
Of the 13 players who scored three finished in double figures, including Beenken who netted a season-high 20. Speikers tallied 16 and Chadwick added 10. Beenken also led in rebounds (6) and steals (3). Jordan DeCroock had a team-high five assists.
The Tigers limited their turnovers to 15 in the fast-paced game while forcing 26 by the visiting Knights, including several leading to easy baskets.
The Tigers hope to build some momentum heading into the Missota Conference season when they take on Burnsville in the opening round of the two-day Hastings Holiday Classic on Dec. 27.
Other teams in the four-team tourney include host Hastings and Mahtomedi.
Farmington Scoring: Beenken 20, Speikers 16, Chadwick 10, Rockett 7, Bassett 6, Dittman 5, Guyot 4, Anderson 4, DeCroock 4, VanWinkle 4, Ferm 3, Hinks 2, Beschorner 2
