Van Ryn Free Throws Seal Faribault Overtime Win

Faribault Falcon senior Abby Van Ryn put on a free throw shooting clinic in overtime en route to a 58-52 overtime win over the Albert Lea Tigers Friday night. Van Ryn netted 30 points in the foul infested game at Nomeland Gym. It was Faribault's home opener. The catcher on the State Champion Faribault softball team last spring was 6 for 6 in overtime and 12 of 15 from the free throw line in the game, making her last 12 in a row.

The Falcons got some other very good performances in the game. Junior post 6'0 Zoe Fronk scored 4 points, got in some foul trouble in the game but didn't let that stop her from owning the glass, finishing with 16 rebounds. Sophomore 5'10 Bennett Wolff had 12 points and 10 rebounds but maybe more importantly did a fantastic job shutting down Albert Lea's top scorer in the second half. Wolff primarily had the task of guarding 5'6 junior Samantha Skarstad who torched the Falcons for 14 points in the first half but was held to 3 points in the second half. Skarstad fouled out with 38.5 seconds to go in regulation.

Freshman 5'5 Evy Vettrus was left open repeatedly from three point range and missed a number of shots before connecting on two monster three point baskets in the second half. Faribault Head Coach Bill Bardal said after the game that, "Evy did the right thing. She's a very good shooter and knew eventually some would go in."

Albert Lea led at the half 25-22 and led much of the second half before having to get a spurt of offense to tie the game at 49 following a three point basket by 5'7 Kendall Kenis and eighth grader. After bringing the ball up the court Coach Bardal took a time out with 4.1 seconds left in regulation. Van Ryn got the inbound pass and dribbled into the lane before passing the ball to Fronk. The junior was fouled as time expired. Albert Lea Head Coach Jason Thompson pleaded his case that Fronk was fouled before the horn went off.

Coach Bardal thought Fronk should have two free throws because she was trying to score before the horn sounded. The officials gave her one free throw and Fronk stood at the line the entire time the discussions were happening. After the miss the teams went to overtime tied at 49.

In the overtime Van Ryn was 6 for 6 from the free throw line, Wolff scored a field goal and Fronk hit a free throw. The Tigers scored all three of their points at the charity stripe. Albert Lea was 10 of 25 from the free throw line for the game and Faribault was 18 of 27.

The Falcons had all four of their three point baskets in the second half. Albert Lea would also connect on four three point baskets. The Tigers finished the game with 24 turnovers and Faribault tallied 16.

Faribault is now 1-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big Nine and the Tigers have the same records. The Falcons are at Red Wing Tuesday while Albert Lea travels to Winona.

Other area girls basketball scores:

W-E-M 45 Maple River 35
NRHEG 48 Hayfield 47
Lourdes 71 La Crescent 29
Grand Meadow 78 Triton 72
Goodhue 52 Kasson-Mantorville 42
Rushford-Peterson 54 Schaeffer Academy 33
Farmington 65 Edina 36
Wabasha-Kellogg 72 Houston 67
St. Clair 66 J-W-P 51
Rosemount 59 Henry Sibley 42
Shakopee 62 Chanhassen 46
P-E-M 59 Chatfield 49
Cotter 66 Fillmore Central 37
St. Charles 73 Southland 64

Boys basketball Blooming Prairie hangs on to defeat Bethlehem Academy 49-42. The Awesome Blossoms had three players in double figures. Tim Wolf 15 points, Isaac Ille 12 points and Matthew Pryor 10 points. The Cardinals were led by Damon Trump with 13 points.

Other boys basketball scores: