ROCHESTER – The Awesome Blossoms boys basketball team got a little pay-back on Faribault Bethlehem Academy in the Section 1A West title game in Mayo Auditorium Saturday.

After having its season end in a loss to No. 2 seeded FBA last season, the No. 1 seeded Blooming Prairie took care of business with a 44-37 win that puts BP (18-9 overall) in its first section title game since 1967.

“They ended our season last year and they ended our season in football. That was definitely on the kids’ minds tonight,” BP head coach John Bruns said.

The win was BP’s third win over FBA (18-11 overall) this season and the Blossoms did it with defense. They held FBA to 29 percent shooting in the win.

“It was a grind it out game with a lot of defense. It was two teams that know each other real well,” Bruns said.

John Rumpza had 15 points and 12 rebounds for BP and Michael Thomas added 10 points.

BP will now take on Rushford-Peterson (25-3 overall) in the Section 1A title game Thursday in Mayo Civic Arena at 8 p.m.

BP 13 31 – 44

FBA 11 26 – 37

BP scoring: John Rumpza, 15; Michael Thomas, 10; Anthony Nelson, 9; Brett Wacek, 6; Jake Decker, 2; Weston Fiebiger, 2; field goals: 36 percent (14-for-38); three-pointers: 27 percent (3-for-11); free throws: 68 percent (13-for-19); rebounds: 37 (Rumpza, 12); turnovers: 13