Minnesota West men's, women's basketball teams lose to M State Fergus Falls Wednesday
Jan. 5—WORTHINGTON — Minnesota West lost a mens' and women's basketball doubleheader to Minnesota State Fergus Falls on Wednesday at the Center for Health and Wellness. The Lady Jays lost 84-78 and missed ten free throws. The mens' team lost 83-63.
Women
Fergus Falls 84, Minnesota West 78
The Lady Jays led much of the game but an inability to put the Fergus Falls team to pasture came back to give Minnesota West its sixth loss on the season.
The Lady Jays were uncharacteristic in several aspects of the game with 26 turnovers and just five offensive rebounds compared to 15 for Fergus Falls.
A lack of success from the free throw line by Minnesota West was also paired with Fergus Falls being an efficient 23-of-27 from their own stripe.
With just over half the fourth quarter left, Minnesota West led Fergus Falls by four points. But the team would lose the lead and then lose star guard Olivia Hayenga, who fouled out with a trio of consecutive errors.
Hayenga had a team high 22 points, seven assists, four steals and two blocks. Dasia Potter had 17 points, Skyla Petersen had 16 points and Hattie DeVries had 13.
Newcomer Olivia Hensch played her first minutes for the Lady Jays. Hensch graduated from Sibley-Ocheyedan High School in the fall semester and enrolled in Minnesota West for the spring semester.
Minnesota West also struggled at the end of the second and third quarter. With the clock fast approaching halftime, Minnesota West was assessed a defensive foul on a desperate heave. Itzel Salazar made two of three free throws to send her team in the half down 37-32.
To end the third quarter, Fergus Falls connected on a midcourt shot.
The Lady Jays resume conference play on Saturday against Anoka-Ramsey on the road.
Fergus Falls 32 84
Minnesota West 37 78
Men
Fergus Falls 83, Minnesota West 63
The Bluejays scored just a single two point field goal in the first half of their conference matchup against Fergus Falls.
Minnesota West attempted 25 shots with 21 coming from beyond the arch in the half. Teddy Collins Jr. suffered an ankle injury early for the Bluejays and was limited in the game to just eight minutes.
The Bluejays trailed 46-20 at the half. Tyson McArthur had 19 points at the half for Fergus Falls.
In the second half, the Bluejays looked much improved, they limited the deficit to as little as 11 points.
McArthur finished with 30 points for Fergus Falls. Mikele Kambalo, a Sioux Falls native, scored 20 points.
The leading scorer for Minnesota West was Kenneth Logan who scored 23 points and also had four blocks. Guard Jordan Sinclair had 15 points and two steals. Henry Counsel and Jordan Samuelsson had eight points and six assists apiece.
The Bluejays also improved shooting in the second half making 14 of 30 shots.
Fergus Falls 46 83
Minnesota West 20 63
