In a competitive match held on January 31 at the Cardinals' gym, the Blue Earth Area boys basketball team initially matched their rivals from Fairmont with impressive three-point shooting. However, as the game progressed, Fairmont capitalized on their height advantage and defensive prowess, eventually securing a decisive 71-50 victory. The first half saw BEA making nine out of fifteen three-pointers, keeping them within striking distance. Despite a strong start, the Bucs struggled in the second half, allowing Fairmont to pull away.

The Competitive First Half

In the opening period, the Blue Earth Area team demonstrated remarkable accuracy from beyond the arc, hitting nine of their fifteen three-point attempts. This performance allowed them to stay close, trailing by only three points at halftime. Early in the game, Fairmont's post players established dominance, building a significant lead. However, BEA responded with a series of successful three-pointers that brought them within striking distance, even taking a brief lead near the end of the half.

Initially, Fairmont's robust play from Logan Junkermeier and Oliver Tordsen gave the Cardinals a commanding 17-6 lead. Branson Hauskins' three-pointer narrowed this gap, but Joe Hackett quickly countered with another long-range shot. BEA continued to chip away at the deficit, using strategic plays inside and capitalizing on free throws. A flurry of three-pointers by Will Bromeland and Sully Dahlberg put the Bucs ahead for the first time at 27-26. The half concluded with a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Hadan Tommer, giving Fairmont a slim 36-33 lead.

The Second-Half Collapse

The momentum shifted in the second half as Blue Earth Area's shooting cooled off, while Fairmont capitalized on their size advantage. Although the Bucs briefly tied the game early in the second half, they were unable to maintain the pace. Fairmont's consistent scoring and strong defense gradually widened the gap. With about seven minutes left, a 16-0 run sealed the Cardinals' victory.

While BEA maintained a respectable shooting percentage, including 44.4% from three-point range, their efforts fell short against Fairmont's superior interior play and rebounding. The Cardinals dominated inside, scoring 38 points compared to BEA's 10, and secured 28 rebounds to BEA's 24. Fairmont also controlled turnovers, committing only three compared to BEA's 16. Key scorers for BEA included Will Bromeland with 26 points, followed by Gage Barker with eight. For Fairmont, standout performances came from Oliver Tordsen with 22 points and Logan Junkermeier with 20. Isaac Anderson led BEA in rebounds with five, and Barker contributed five assists.