PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: Crusaders eliminate Wildcats in section

MANKATO — A second-half surge during the final 10 minutes allowed Mankato Loyola to eliminate Southwestern United 75-69 in the MSHSL Class A Boys Basketball Section 2 Tournament quarterfinal round Monday.

The Wildcats, who trailed 35-34 at halftime, made a 21- 12 run during the first 8 minutes of the second half to grab a 55-47 lead.

But the Crusaders closed out the game, scoring 28 of the final 42 points to advance from the Section 2 semifinals Thursday, when Mankato Loyola will play Mountain Lake Area at 7 p.m. at St. James Area High School.

Carson Seifert scored 25 points to lead Loyola (13-14), which also received 14 points from Alex Piementel and 10 more from Evan Ellingworth.

Zach Schumacher led all scorers with 26 points and added four rebounds for Southwestern United (10-14). Brandon Thurk, who knocked down four 3-pointers, finished with 18 points and six rebounds, while Aaron Fest (four rebounds), Matthew Soto (four rebounds), Cole Bosma (six assists), Mark Ferguson (four assists) and Justin Jass (three assists) also made contributions.

Thurk sparked the Wildcats with 11 first-half points before Schumacher scored 18 of his 26 markers after halftime.

The Crusaders made a 27-17 run to start the game. But a 12-0 scoring spree gave the Wildcats a 29-27 edge before the break.

SW United 34 35 --- 69

Loyola 35 40 --- 75

Tags: southwestern united, sports, prep, basketball, boys