Blaine Bengals Basketball

Champlin Park, home, January 13, 2009

Varsity

The Bengals were looking for a home court advantage and some positive momentum as they hosted the Rebels of Champlin Park. Things did not start out well for the Bengals, as the Rebels started the game by draining several three pointers to put the Bengals in the hole 15-8 with 6 minutes gone in the first half. Mid way through the first half, Blaine's offense was not clicking, but the Bengals only trailed 23-14. Billy Giddings excited the crowd with a thunderous dunk with 3 minutes left in the half, and Gidding's three pointer to end the half left the Rebels' lead at 40-30.

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The second half saw the Bengals cut into the Rebels' lead. Dylan Rodriguez got hot and his offense coupled with back to back three point baskets by Jesse Briggity and David Leafblad allowed the Bengals to get to within 65-61. A pair of Rodriquez free throws tied the score at 73-73. The Rebels held the ball for the last shot and despite tight Bengal defense, Champlin Park hit an off-balance jumper for the 75-73 win as time expired.

Rodriguez finished the night with 34 points; 25 of which came after intermission. Giddings had 11, Leafblad scored 10 and Jeff Harstad added 6 points for the Bengals.