Photo by Heather Kleiboer
Mabel-Canton (11-11) and FC (14-11) played a game not contained by regulation. The Cougars sped to a 44-35 halftime lead behind Cayden Tollefsrud’s 20 first half points. FC was 16 of 20 from two-point range, 0 of 13 from deep in the stanza! M-C led into the second half until Falcon reserve Josh Haugerud keyed a comeback. The junior scored all 11 of his points amidst a 16-4 run that tied the game 69-69 (5:34). Tollefsrud scored 13 straight Cougar points down the stretch. Luke Hellickson a hit big corner three to put FC up 81-78 (1:06). Tyler Larson replied seconds later to make it 81-81 (0:48). Each team then had a turnover and a miss. The game went to overtime! Tollefsrud then scored the Cougars’ first five points for an 86-81 lead. Falcon Jayce Kiehne converted a three-point play to make it 88-87. But FC then scored just one (meaningless) basket (late). M-C hit 5 of 7 overtime shots. Tollefsrud was 4 of 5. M-C beat FC 94-89 in OT! Tollefsrud set a Cougar single-game scoring mark with 47 points (19-27 FGs, 3-9 threes, 6-9 FTs, 12 rebs, 4 asts) on 70% shooting! FC had no answer for his speed, quick-twitch, and ability to elevate. Larson (22 pts, 5-14 threes, 8 rebs) was his best help. Isaac Underbakke (8 pts, 12 rebs, 5 asts), Riley Snell (7 pts, 13 asts, 4 stls), and Darian Hershberger (8 pts) also contributed. Hershberger hit two free throws (0:17) in OT to put M-C up 92-87. Hellickson (30 pts, 3-17 threes, 11 rebs, 5 asts) and Greg Kennedy (20 pts, 9-14 FGs) led FC. Kennedy had 18 in the first half. Kiehne (15 pts, 6-7 FGs, 7 rebs, 4 asts) and Haugerud (11 pts, 3-6 threes) helped. FC lost free throws 9 of 18 (50%) to 13 of 19 (68%). They went 3 of 10 from the stripe in crunch time. M-C then beat Rochester STEM 103-75. Tollefsrud (26 pts, 11-19 FGs, 5 rebs), Underbakke (21 pts, 9-11 FGs, 7 rebs, 6 asts), Snell (13 pts, 7 rebs, 5 stls), Larson (11 pts, 5 rebs) and Hayden Erickson (11 pts) gave the Cougars five in double figures. Mabel-Canton (9-8, 13-11) has won seven of eight.