Tigers advance to sub-section finals with win over Benson
Four players scored in double figures to help Morris Area get past Benson 78-62 in the Section 6AA West semi-final boys' basketball game Saturday at the University of Minnesota, Morris.
"The whole team played so well," said coach Mark Torgerson. "We seemed to match up well with Benson."
Torgerson and his team knew what it would take to win, having already defeated the Braves twice this season. In West Central Conference South games, the Tigers won 65-45 on Jan. 10 in Benson and 62-49 Feb. 7 in Morris.
"The player that really stepped up his game is Corey Nohl," said coach Mark Torgerson. "He was a big factor in us winning the ballgame."
Nohl came off the bench and scored a career-high 16 points, hitting six of eight shots from the floor, including his first three-point attempt this season. At the free-throw line, he was 3-of-4.
After the Braves' Brennan Kent hit four three-pointers in the first half, Torgerson said the Tigers were forced to use a man-to-man defense.
"Nohl's specialty has been defense and rebounding, and he stepped up the D on Aaron Lindahl," Torgerson said.
Lindahl averages 27.5 points per game and the Tigers held him to only three points in the first half.
Shooting at 50 percent from the field, the Tigers took a 31-26 lead into halftime.
Chris Scott scored the first eight points after the break to increase the Tiger lead, but Benson managed a rally midway through the half to tie the score at 45.
"That's when the Tigers' defensive intensity really picked up," said Torgerson. "We also made a lot of fast break points to earn a double-digit lead. Jackson Henrich just took it to the basket."
Henrich helped out with some easy baskets, finishing with 16 points.
"We made enough free throws to hold the lead," Torgerson added. "We got the ball to Lincoln Arnold who had eight for the game."
The Tigers were shooting at 60 percent in the second half and were 16-of-27 at the free-throw line.
Lincoln Arnold led the Tigers with 20 points and also grabbed five rebounds.
Scott finished with 11 points. Cory Hennen added seven, Tyler Meichsner tossed in six, and Taylor Nohl had two.
Henrich pulled down eight rebounds and blocked four shots to lead the Tigers in those columns.
Meichsner dished out a team-high five assists, while Arnold and Hennen each recorded four.
On Tuesday night, the Tigers played Staples-Motley in the sub-section final. The winner of that game will advance to the Section 6AA championship Friday at St. Cloud State University.
