By Matt Thomas, Wayzata.com Sports Reporter
The Wayzata girls basketball team made 20-24 free throws on Friday night against Minnetonka, including 11-12 in the final 1:30 of the game, to seal up a 63-56 Classic Lake Conference victory over the Skippers.
The win moves the Trojans to 3-1 in conference play and into a first place tie with Hopkins and Armstrong.
Things did not start out well for the Trojans as they found themselves in an early 16-6 hole after the Skippers made seven of their first 10 shots from the field.
The Skippers led 26-13 late in the first half when the Trojans fought their way back into the game with an 11-2 run to end the first half.
Senior Alexa Clausen made a deep three pointer and senior Kate Thompson took the ball the length of the court for a buzzer beating lay-up to end the first half with the Trojans trailing by just four.
It didn’t take long for the Trojans to reclaim the lead in the opening minutes of the second half. Clausen started the half with her second three pointer of the game and freshman Marissa Grossfeld followed with back to back jump shots to give the Trojans a 31-30 lead.
The two teams traded leads back and forth for a majority of the second half until the Trojans took the lead for good with 5:27 remaining on a three pointer by junior Kristi Kuhn.
The Trojans led by just one at 52-51, but clutch free throw shooting down the stretch made the difference. Thompson and fellow seniors Teresa Thour and Missi Crees combined to go 11-12 at the free line over the game’s final ninety seconds.
Thour finished the game with 10 points on a perfect 10-10 performance at the free throw line. Thompson led all scorers with 21 points on 8-17 shooting from the field. Kuhn also finished in double figures with 11 points on 5-11 from the field. Grossfeld and Clausen chipped in with eight and seven points respectively.
The Skippers were led by sophomore Katy Winge and senior Ali Bongard, who each scored 18 points on efficient shooting nights. Winge went 8-14 from the field, while Bongard went 8-11.
With just six games remaining in the regular season, the Trojans are now 11-7 overall. They have two non-conference games next week against Minneapolis North and Richfield before they resume the second half of the Classic Lake Conference schedule.
The Trojans will host Minneapolis North on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7:15 p.m.
Box Score
Wayzata: Kate Thompson 21, Kristi Kuhn 11, Teresa Thour 10, Marissa Grossfeld 8, Alexa Clausen 7, Missi Crees 4, Christina Keup 2
Field Goals: 20-49 (41%), Three Pointers: 3-14 (21%), Free Throws: 20-24 (83%)
Minnetonka: Katy Winge 18, Ali Bongard 18, Steffi Comer 6, Joanna Hedstrom 6, Ali McArthur 6, Kate Constable 2
Field Goals: 23-52 (44%), Three Pointers: 5-15 (33%), Free Throws: 5-7 (71%)
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