BENSON -- Montevideo needed every break it could get Friday, first to beat Benson in their West Central South Conference boys basketball game, then to clinch the league title outright.
The Thunder Hawks got both, downing the Braves 73-71 on the road, then earning the conference crown with a Lac qui Parle Valley loss to Yellow Medicine East, 78-62.
After trading leads throughout most of the game, Montevideo (10-1, 18-2) went on a 7-0 run inside of three minutes remaining. But Benson (6-5, 13-9) countered with a Mitch Enderson three pointer and Kyle Mikkelson steal and basket to make it 71-70. A Daniel Fragodt free throw tied the game.
Montevideo came back with a Tyler Grey basket and got the win on a missed Benson shot at the buzzer.
The Braves began the game with eight straight points and kept the ball out of Grey's hands and pressured Thunder Hawks' guard Tramel Barnes on the perimeter.
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Montevideo stayed close by pushing the issue offensively and getting some easy baskets off the press and in transition.
The Thunder Hawks took a 31-28 lead at halftime.
Grey scored 20 points to lead Montevideo. Barnes added a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds. Eric Brandon and Todd Bergeson, who made all three of his three-point attempts in the second half, followed with 11 points each. Nolan Jaspersen pulled down 10 boards.
Daniel Fragodt paced the Braves with 28 points and had eight rebounds. Mitch Enderson added 14 points and Jesse Holm had 13. Eri Lee also grabbed eight rebounds.
Montevideo 73, Benson 71
Montevideo (10-1, 18-2) 31 42 -- 73
Benson (6-5, 13-9) 28 43 -- 71
MONTEVIDEO - 27-61 FG (6-14 3-pt); 13-22 FT; 42 rebounds; 18 fouls ... Scoring: Miike Amborn 4, Tyler Grey 20, Tramel Barnes 14, Eric Brandon 11, Todd Bergeson 11, Nolan Jaspersen 6, Tyler Ray 7 ... 3-point shots: Brandon 1, Bergeson 3, Ray 2 ... Rebound leaders: Barnes 12, Jaspersen 10 ... Assist leaders: Barnes 4, Brandon 4 ... Steal leaders: Barnes 5
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BENSON - 29-61 FG (4-12 3-pt); 9-15 FT; 25 rebounds; 22 fouls ... Scoring: Mitch Enderson 14, Aaron Lindahl 8, Jesse Holm 13, Brett Collins 6, Daniel Fragodt 28, Eric Lee 2 ... 3-point shots: Enderson 2, Fragodt 2 ... Rebound leaders: Lee 8, Fragodt 8 ... Assist leaders: Collins 3 ... Steal leaders: Fragodt 2, Lee 2
