LHS boys' basketball split pair of Big South tilts

The Luverne boys’ basketball team split a pair of Big South Conference games this past week.
The Cardinals opened the week with a 64-51 home loss to Pipestone Area on Tuesday, Feb. 9.
Luverne bounced back on Friday, Feb. 12, with an 86-65 road victory against Windom.
 
Pipestone 64, LHS 51
The Cardinals scored the first five points of the game on Tuesday, Feb. 9, but they could not sustain that early momentum as they ultimately lost to the Arrows 64-51.
Gannon Ahrendt opened the scoring by knocking down a three-pointer. Ahrendt scored the next bucket for the Cardinals to quickly give them a 5-0 lead.
A Bailey Cowell basket gave the Cardinals a 7-2 lead.
The Arrows then went on a 7-1 run to take a 9-8 lead with 14 minutes left in the first half.
A Cowell basket put the Cardinals back on top 10-9 with 12:30 left in the first half.
Following Cowell’s basket the Arrows scored the next six points to build a 15-10 lead.
The Cardinals answered back by scoring the next five points to tie the game at 15-15.
With the two teams deadlocked at 17-17, the Arrows went on a 16-2 run to close out the first half to take a 33-19 lead into the locker room.
Ahrendt opened the scoring in the second half off an assist from Cowell.
With 4:59 left in the game, the Cardinals were able to make it a single-digit game at 49-41.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, they were unable to get any closer as they could not overcome the 14-point halftime deficit.
Ahrendt finished the game with 15 points and six rebounds.
Cowell scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds.
Jayson Rops reached double figures with 11 points. Ethan Beyer chipped in with eight points.
 
LHS 86, Windom 65
The Cardinals used a strong second half to pull away from the Eagles on Friday, Feb. 13. The Cardinals outscored Windom 46-26 in the second half to pick up the 86-65 road victory.
The two teams played a competitive first half with the Cardinals clinging to a 40-39 lead. In the second half, it was all Luverne with the Cardinals doubling up the Eagles to pick up their sixth win of the season.
Cowell led the Cardinals with 31 points.
Beyer scored 16 points. Rops reached double figures with 10 points. Ahrendt chipped in with nine points.
The Cardinals currently own a 6-2 record. They’ll look to pick up their seventh win of the season on Tuesday, Feb. 16, when they host Hills-Beaver Creek.