Minnesota West Basketball Teams Dominate Fergus Falls in Season Openers

WORTHINGTON — The Minnesota West basketball teams showcased impressive performances in their Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) South division openers on January 10, 2024. The women’s team achieved a commanding victory against M Stage Fergus Falls, winning 100-51, while the men’s team followed suit with a strong 99-72 win.

Both teams will face a significant challenge on Saturday, as they travel to Coon Rapids to compete against the Anoka-Ramsey Rams.

The women’s game began with a competitive edge, but after a tight first quarter, the Lady Jays (12-5, 1-0) shifted into high gear. They entered the second quarter with only a one-point lead, but their defense tightened, allowing them to dominate. They forced 17 of 32 first-half turnovers, outscoring the Spartans 36-4 during that period, and built a substantial 55-22 lead by halftime.

Fergus Falls initially kept pace, briefly taking a 16-13 lead before back-to-back three-pointers from Izzy Klumper put the Lady Jays back ahead. Klumper finished the game with 17 points, including five three-pointers. Head coach Rosalie Hayenga-Hostikka commented on Klumper’s impact, stating, “We were down, and she hit two back to back to get us back ahead, which was kind of like a little bit of a stress relief.”

The Lady Jays maintained their momentum in the second half, extending their lead to 40 points early in the third quarter. They concluded the game with six players scoring in double figures. Alongside Klumper’s contributions, Sadie Krahling led the team with 18 points, while Katrina Schutz, Maddie Kamm, and Ayla Texley each added 12 points. Payton Reimers contributed 11 points and shared the rebound lead with Schutz, both grabbing six boards. The team demonstrated efficiency, shooting 50.7% from the field.

The Lady Jays’ defensive effort was equally impressive, forcing a total of 46 turnovers and holding the Spartans to under 40% shooting. They now face a crucial match against the top-ranked Anoka-Ramsey Rams, who defeated the Lady Jays twice last season and currently stand at 13-3 overall.

In the men’s opener, the Bluejays (9-7, 1-0) started strong with a 10-0 run, led by Owen Beilke, who scored the first four points, followed by three-pointers from Kewone Jones and Austin Florence. They maintained a double-digit lead throughout the first half, closing it out at 44-32. Jones led the scoring with 23 points, including six three-pointers, while Keion Irvin made a notable return from injury, adding 10 points.

Coach Dan Tharp praised Irvin’s quick return to form, stating, “He brings something that not a lot of people have, just the way he can get downhill to the basket.” The Bluejays’ offense continued to shine in the second half, with Da’Shaundis Moore adding consecutive three-point plays, and triples from Beilke and Calvin Flood extending their lead to over 20 points.

The Bluejays finished the game shooting 61% from the field, with five players scoring in double figures. In addition to Jones, Florence and Irvin each scored 14 points, while Flood contributed 12 points on an impressive 6-of-7 shooting. Beilke led the team in rebounds with seven and Flood also recorded six assists.

As they prepare for their upcoming matches against Anoka-Ramsey, Tharp emphasized the importance of disciplined play. The Rams, who recently suffered a loss to Ridgewater, will present a tough challenge. “They’re very disciplined in what they do,” Tharp noted, highlighting the need for the Bluejays to perform at their best to secure a victory.

Both Minnesota West teams are off to strong starts in their division play, with the Lady Jays winning their opener for the first time in seven years and looking to build on their momentum this weekend.