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(NewsDakota.com)–The word frustration probably does not do the Hi-Liner boys basketball team’s demeanor justice right now.
Entering the weekend on a five-game losing streak, then dropping a 56-52 overtime loss Friday night at Wahpeton, it happened again in Bismarck Saturday afternoon, as Valley City dropped a 65-62 loss in extra frames to the St. Mary’s Saints at St. Mary’s high school.
Chase Carpenter poured his heart into the game, scoring 29 points, including three three-point shots, the last that tied the game at the end of regulation and sent the game an extra four minutes.
But, as with last night’s game in Wahpeton, the Hi-Liners struggled to block out defensively and control the ball, and late turnovers and offensive rebounds broke their back for the second straight night, sending them to their seventh straigth loss.
The Hi-Liners were there to battle in the first half, recovering from a trio of six-point defecits. Carpenter began his day with five first-half field goals, and Denholm drained a three early, then converted on a bank shot off the glass in front of the buzzer, giving the Hi-Liners a 29-27 lead at the break.
Valley City made its biggest move during a key stretch early in the second half, when St. Mary’s, frustrated with the Hi-Liner post effectiveness, switched to zone. Denholm drained a three on the first possession against it, Josh Magnuson scored inside, and Halgrimson ran baseline for a score, running a lead to 44-37, and forcing the Saints back to man defense.
St. Marys had an answer, and it was beyond the arc. They went on a 14-6 run, fueled by threes from Darius Sparks and Ben Weisbeck, taking a 51-50 lead.
Carpenter hit a three in transition to give the lead back to Valley City, but Scott Nagel converted a huge three, two steps beyond the line on the right wing, tying the game at 55-55. The Hi-Liners then appeared to throw the game away on back-to-back turnovers, leading to three made free throws by the Saints, and a 58-55 lead with 9.6 seconds left.
Needing a three to tie, the Hi-Liners came up the floor. Denholm had a good look in the left corner, but reversed the ball to Carpenter, waiting at the top of the key. Carpenter splashed the shot, time ran out, and Valley City played to it’s second overtime in as many nights, tied at 58-58.
Brad Obritch started the overtime scoring with a baseline drive for St. Marys, and Ben Weisbeck followed with a field goal, putting the Hi-Liners in a four-point, two-possession hole at 62-58 halfway through the extra session.
After being held to no field goals in overtime Friday night, Valley City would manage just one Saturday night. Carpetner would hit a jumper, but would then foul out, leaving the game with 12 field goals and 29 total.
Josh Magnuson would convert a pair of free throws, cutting the Saints lead to 64-62. After a foul for possession, the Saints hit one of two foul shots, and Valley City needed another three to force a second overtime.
Denholm would get the call the second time around, also from the top of the key. His shot had a good line, but was just strong off the heel of the rim, and the Hi-Liners were turned away.
Valley City is now 2-7, and they host West Fargo Tuesday night.