Huskies Force Overtime with Buzzer-Beater but Fall to Winhawks

The Owatonna High School boys basketball team went to overtime Tuesday on sophomore Nolan Burmeister's three-pointer that beat the buzzer to tie the game at 60-60. Winona went home with the 69-65 win, but Huskies coach Josh Williams was proud of the team's efforts.

"Undoubtedly our best effort and full game we played on the season last night. Thought we defended and competed defensively and on the the glass...And played unselfish with a lot of guys contributing on the offensive end. Very proud of our kids!" Williams wrote on Twitter (@OwaCoachWilly).

Freshman Evan Dushek led the Huskies with 18 points and eight rebounds. Junior Isaac Oppegard added 14 and Steven Eckard scored 13.

The Huskies struggled from the foul line, hitting just 11 of 21 free throws while the Winhawks went 24-for-28. Owatonna (6-15, 5-12 Big Nine) hosts No. 3-AAA Mankato East Thursday, February 21 in a makeup game at 7:30 pm with coverage on KRFO AM 1390, the free downloadable KRFO app and through OwatonnaLive.com.

Also on Tuesday in boys basketball, Mankato East whipped Rochester May 81-60. Big-Nine leading Austin topped Northfield 79-63 in a possible preview of a Section 1AAA final. The Raiders led at the half. Faribault edged Mankato West 74-70. Waseca ripped Fairmont 83-46. St. Clair beat Medford 70-65. Blue Earth Area got by NRHEG 42-36. Pine Island beat Triton 72-59.

Among the girls results from Tuesday was another win for Medford, who beat Cleveland 71-33 on Senior Night to improve to 22-0. Bailey Purrier is the only senior on the No. 8-rated Tigers' roster. Blue Earth topped NRHEG 64-57. Blooming Prairie closed their regular season with a 68-28 win at United South Central. The Awesome Blossoms open the playoffs at home Thursday, February 21.

Big Nine Conference girls results Tuesday featured Red Wing 65-37 over Albert Lea, Austin beat Northfield 62-53, Mayo topped Mankato East 41-35, John Marshall slugged Century 65-33 and Mankato West beat Faribault 53-34. John Marshall leads the Big Nine standings with Red Wing even in the loss column.