Strong Effort Comes up Just Short for Owatonna Girls Basketball

The Huskies battled toe-to-toe with Rochester John Marshall before falling to the Rockets in the quarterfinals of the Section 1AAAA girls basketball tournament 67-64.

Owatonna shot the ball well most of the night and rebounded with the much taller Rockets, but in the end JM's Division 1 player Jamie Ruden was too much. The future Arizona State University player scored 35 points, including some crucial baskets late as Owatonna was attempting a comeback. JM went on an 11-0 run midway through the second half for a 56-48 lead. The Huskies got within a basket on several occasions and had a contested three-point try as time expired, ending Owatonna's season.

The Huskies put on a strong surge late in the first half for a 35-34 lead at the break. Sydney Schultz scored 12 of her 17 in the first half. Rachel Williamson had 10 of her 17 in the first half. Seniors on Owatonna's roster include Williamson, Carli Langeland, Kirstin Pumber and Millie Wanous. OHS ended the season with a 14-13 record.

John Marshall plays top seed Lakeville North on Saturday at 1PM at the Mayo Civic Center Arena. The Panthers topped Farmington 57-37 Wednesday night. Rochester Century upset Big Nine champ and No. 2 seed Rochester Mayo 57-41. Lakeville South beat New Prague 54-43.

In Section 1AAA, top seed Winona whipped Albert Lea 72-26, Byron topped Austin 60-54, Northfield beat Red Wing 50-39 and Kasson-Mantorville downed Stewartville 69-40.

The No. 7 seed upset the No. 2 seed in Section 2AAA girls basketball Wednesday as Jordan beat Faribault 48-34. Elsewhere, Mankato East beat Waseca 47-39, New Ulm topped Mankato West 72-61 and top seed Marshall rolled past Worthington 65-34.