Blooming Prairie Wins Defensive Battle

The Blooming Prairie girls basketball team held Medford to 11 second-half points in a 49-41 Gopher Conference win Tuesday. BP kept the Tigers nearly 20 points below their season average. It was Medford's second straight loss to a ranked team.

Awesome Blossoms coach John Bruns said, "Blooming Prairie trailed by two at halftime, but allowed only 11 points in the second half...It was a defensive battle in the second half. We have been close a couple times to getting big wins against highly regarded opponents like Medford, so it was nice to finally break through with a big game victory."

BP has lost by less than ten points to Class A ranked WEM and Class AA rated Goodhue. Blooming Priaire (11-2, 5-1 Gopher Conference) was topped No. 5-A in the recent rankings.

Bruns said, "Bobbie Bruns came up with seven points (in the second half) and Allison Krohnberg came up with six to help heal the win." Megan Oswald led the team with 18 for the game. Bruns totaled 11. BP outscored Medford in the second half 21-11.

Due to the storm forecast for Friday, Blooming Prairie has moved up their game against United South Central to Thursday, January 16. And due to a wrestling meet in Blooming Prairie, the game will be played in Wells.

Medford (10-3, 5-2) is scheduled to host NRHEG Friday.

The Blooming Prairie boys won at Medford 61-43 Tuesday. BP coach Nate Piller said, "Boys had built a big first-half lead only to have Medford pull it back near the end of the half and keep it competitive. The boys did a nice job re-establishing the lead in the second half to pull out the win."

"I thought our size and athleticism wore on them during the course of the game. Their shooting kept them in it for much of the game but when they weren't making baskets, our guys did a nice job rebounding."

Gabe Hagen led BP with 20 points. Karson Vigeland added 11 and Kaden Thomas ten. Medford had 12 points each from Kael Hermanstorfer and AJ Vandereide.

Blooming Prairie (8-1, 4-1) plays at Triton Thursday in a makeup game and is scheduled to go to United South Central Friday. Medford (4-8, 2-4) plays at NRHEG Friday, weather permitting.