One point denies Raiders win in final regular season game

February 22, 2024

"Flying High . . . " but not quite high enough. Bayln Bargen fights through a group of defenders as he attempts to shot against the taller defenders. (Photo by Denise Mazour)

The 22nd game of the regular season and one points decides the outcome of the game. The Raiders traveled to Deshler for the game and ended up on the lower end of a 38-39 score.

L-N showed a marked improvement in their passing throughout the game, but the defensive effort could not stop Deshler until the final period. The score by quarter:

L-N 9 9 5 15 - 38

Deshler 10 10 11 8 - 39

For most of the first half of play Deshler scored many of their points directly under the basket via drives and passes to scorers. However, L-N started to correct their defensive efforts in the third period only to see Deshler connect on 5 of 7 from the field while the Raiders were scoreless for the first 6 minutes of the period.

That Raider defensive effort proved itself in the final period. Deshler was held scoreless for almost six minutes while the Raiders slowly evened the score. With just under three minutes left L-N trailed 30-31.

Those final three minutes were the three minutes you wanted to watch.

Deshler scored: 30-33.

Deshler two free throws 30-35

Bayln Bargen scored 32-35

Deshler 1 of 2 free throws 32-36

Bayln 3-pt. score 35-36

Deshler 1 of 2 free throws 35-37

Deshler 2 of 2 free throws 35-39

Bayln 3-pt. score 38-39 with five seconds left in the game.

Deshler had the rebounding advantage and hit 9 of 11 free throws to grind out the victory. L-N forced 15 turnovers giving up only 8 of their own.

Bayln Bargen maybe had his best game of the season scoring 17 points to lead the Raiders in that department. He also had four steals as well.

The game ended the regular season for the Raiders. They end up with a 12-10 regular season record and this week play in the sub-district which they host in Nelson.