MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ironmen too strong for Bluejays 66-65

BRAINERD — In the second day of the Central Lakes Classic, the Minnesota West Bluejays basketball team fell to Vermilion in a back-and-forth game by a score of 66-65.

A free throw with 5 seconds left was the difference for Ver-milion (13-1), which is ranked No. 3 in the nation in Division III of the National Junior Col-lege Athletic Association. Minnesota West got a last-second shot off, but it was off the mark.

“I was very encouraged with our effort over the weekend,” Bluejays head coach Justin Heckenlaible said. “We played two very tough opponents and we had a chance to win both games (the Bluejays fell to Central Lakes 88-78 in overtime on Friday).

“Overall, I was very happy with our efforts. We had been off for three weeks, so we are getting back into the swing of things.”

Seven players scored for the Bluejays, led by Tyler Aquallo’s 24 points, including four 3-pointers. Taylor Lupton also reached double figures with 10 points, while Alan Green and Mitch Hopkins added eight and seven points, respectively.

Four Ironmen posted double-figure scores as Shawn Bear and Kemp McCray each totaled 15 points, Emeche Wells scored 13 and Jerrod Briscoe added 10.

Minnesota West (7-5) opens Minnesota College Athletic Conference Southern Division play on Wednesday. The Blue-jays are on the road at Minnesota State Fergus Falls.

Vermilion 35 31 — 66

Bluejays 35 30 — 65

Tags: minnesota west sports, sports, basketball