BP boys just miss upset of Faribault B.A.

Published 11:31 pm Tuesday, January 20, 2009

BLOOMING PRAIRIE — It started out as a Faribault Bethlehem Academy barnburner but the Awesome Blossoms put out their fire to tie the game despite losing in triple overtime 75-73 in Blooming Prairie on Tuesday night.

The Blossoms (8-2 overall 4-1 Gopher Conference) were behind by 11 points at three different times in the first half to close the gap on BA (11-1 overall, 6-1 Gopher Conference) each time.

Matt Zellmer, Israel Clark and Josh Toquam rained down 10 threes to keep the Blossoms in the game.

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In the second half, the Cardinals thought they had the Blossoms’ attack figured out and by midway through the second they had extended their lead by 14 just to watch the Awesome Blossoms come back again and this time to go up by one with under a minute left to play.

That’s when the Blossoms fouled the wrong player to send to the charity strip.

Senior Chris Palmer, a 6-4 guard went to the line and knocked down 1 of 2 to tie the game to send it into its first overtime.

As overtime ensued BA jumped out to a three point lead getting all of their points off of Blossoms’ fouls.

Zellmer would have no part of it staying that way for as he drilled a three to tie it up at 61.

BP then stretched the lead out to three in their favor, but BA would have no part again and they came down and drained a three pointer with 5.4 seconds on the clock to ultimately send it into double overtime with 68s being shared by each team.

The Blossoms were good on Tuesday night on their home court but they fell short in the third overtime to Bethlehem Academy by the score of 76-73.

The Blossoms’ head coach John Bruns was seen after the game along the gym and he looked liked he had been through a battle.

“To play a team like that,” Bruns said, “You have to play flawless and we were close tonight.”

The Blossoms play BA in Faribault toward the end of February for what will hopefully be for the conference title.

“I am looking forward to going to play them again,” Bruns said. “We have some tough games to play before that but we will be there and hopefully playing for the conference championship.” 

BP  scoring: Matt Zellmer 26, Josh Toquam 20, Israel Clark 17, Johnson 6, Austin Moe 2, Cooper Nelson 2; free throws: 5-for-8; three pointers: 10-for-27

BA scoring: Chris Palmer 35, Jordan Clark 21, Drew Matthews 11, Ryan Slattery 7, Jake Hansen 2; free-throws: 13-for-29; three pointers: 8-for-30