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| Darren Beenken 21 points, 7 rebounds (photo by Jim Lindquist) |
With the loss, Farmington (10-7) dropped to 4-2 in the conference while Chaska (7-7) raised its league mark to 3-3.
"I'm not sure what it is," coach Shane Wyandt said, "but in some games, especially on the road we play with a lack of energy,
"You can't do that with the teams we play. There's no game on our schedule that you can count on as a sure win."
The visitors started out on the right foot, hitting four of their first five shots on the way to an 11-4 lead that would turn out to be their largest of the night.
Darren Beenken (12 points) and Mac Bassett (7) accounted for much of the Farmington offense in the opening half that ended in a 30-30 tie.
Eli Rockett scored baskets on his team's first two possessions of the second half but the Hawks countered immediately to set up a second period that would remain nip-and tuck until 10 minutes remained.
That was about the point the Tiger offense went into self-destruct mode. Poor passing and erratic shooting produced just eight points over the next nine minutes. Chaska didn't shoot the lights out during that stretch either but still led 61-53 with a minute to go.
"We had some good opportunities but just didn't capitalize," Wyandt said. "There were times when we would have two guys pressing and three others watching."
The Tigers finished the second half with nine turnovers, most of them coming during the nine-minute dry spell.
Farmington lit up the scoreboard over the final minute with Zach Speikers scoring all if his game total of six points on a three-pointer and three free throws. Beenken and Johnny Dittman also added field goals during the run.
Twice in the final minute the the Tigers cut the deficit to four points but the Hawks eventually won it at the foul line where they finished 10 of 13 in the second half.
Beenken tallied 21 points and pulled down seven rebounds to lead the Tiger effort. Bassett added 15 and Rockett netted 10 and also grabbed six rebounds. Nick Varner had five rebounds, four steals, three blocks and a couple of assists to go with his five points.
For one of the few times this season the Tigers were beaten on the boards (30-26) with many of the Hawk rebounds coming on the offensive glass.
"There are not a lot of good things to take away from a night like this,' Wyandt said, "other than learning a lesson about coming to play every game."
The Tigers return home Friday night to close out the opening round of the conference schedule when they entertain Shakopee at Tiger Gym. The Sabers, 5-1 in league play, are tied with Holy Angels for first place in the conference standings
