Chargers fall in 2AA title game

Saints take control

in fourth quarter

BY JEREMY BEHNKE

Journal Sports Writer

MANKATO -- St. James used a 14-0 run to start the fourth quarter and defeat Minnesota Valley Lutheran 81-73 Monday in Section 2AA playoff action at Minnesota State University's Bresnan Arena.

Tyler Kaus led the Saints with 28 points and Scott Dorn scored 21.

Nathan Nass led the Chargers with 18 points and Jacob Firle scored 16.

"Tyler started his engine and was hot," MVL coach Craig Morgan said. "We just didn't stop him. We needed some defensive stops. He had two guys sitting out and he just made some things happen."

"They came out and shot the lights out in the second half," Firle said. "Everybody from their team was hitting. There wasn't one guy who we could focus on."

The Chargers gave the No. 1 seed Saints a run for their money as they led 58-56 at the end of the third quarter. But Kaus caught fire in the fourth quarter, burying a three-pointer and scored another bucket to make it 61-58 St. James.

"We've seen them play and they're good athletes, and in the first half we got into their bench and that was key for us," Morgan said.

"Plus Dorn got into foul trouble and we didn't take advantage. I give Tyler a lot of credit. He took them on his back. He plays a position where he can do that and he played smart."

After an MVL timeout, Alex Walker hit a three-pointer to make it 66-58. Dustin Lendt's basket ended the 14-0 run, but the Chargers were unable to get catch a break and mount a comeback similar to the one against Blue Earth Area in the previous round.

MVL got out to a lead in the first quarter on back-to-back jumpers from David Peterson, making it 19-14. Nass' basket before the horn made it 21-14.

In the second quarter, Beilke hit a long three to give the Chargers a 24-14 lead. Dorn's jumper made it 24-21, but Dustin Lendt's three made it 27-21.

Kaus hit consecutive three-pointers-the second being a four-point play- to make it 31-30 MVL. Peterson's three-pointer late in the second quarter gave the Chargers a 39-38 lead at halftime.

In the third, Beilke picked up a loose ball and went coast-to-coast for the layup. Later, he hit another long three-pointer to give the Chargers a 49-46 lead.

But Kaus wouldn't stop and hit another three to tie it at 49. Back-to-back baskets by Nass gave the Chargers a four point lead, and the Chargers led 58-56 after three.

"Kaus came out and got hot, and he hit some tough shots," Firle said. "We were playing pretty good defense all night long, but he stepped up and hit big shots."

St. James moves on to face Hayfield in the Section 2AA championship at 8 p.m. Friday at Bresnan Arena.

MVL ends its season 21-7 after starting the season 0-3.

Despite the loss, Morgan remains optimistic for next season, adding the team returns several key players for next year.

"This is big for us," he said. "We got a good group of guys coming back. We lose some quality seniors, but I like the guys we got coming back. It's something to build on with the sophomores we have."