Closing out the regular season on Tuesday with a potential opponent in the Section 2AAA tournament, the Marshall boys' basketball team wanted to snatch a win on the road from Mankato West. But they didn't want to tip their hand strategy-wise to the Scarlets.
"We just went out, we played and we didn't run a lot of sets," said Tigers head coach Tom Critchley. "We just went out and played, and got the job done on the defensive end and in transition."
Led by a 20-point night by Tanner Bukowski, Marshall's simplified approach led to the Tigers' fourth-straight victory with a 73-69 win over Mankato West. Starting the Section 2AAA playoffs next Tuesday, Marshall ends the season with an 18-8 record, including a 4-2 mark against section opponents.
"Going into the game, we just focused on going out, playing a solid game, working on competing, and making sure we finish the regular season positively," Critchley said.
Forcing the Scarlets into 19 turnovers, the Tigers got 23 points off turnovers, going up by as much as 12 in the first half. Marshall held a 35-25 lead at halftime.
"We just kept pushing it in transition and we got some key stops," Critchley said. "Our guards were agressive to the boards and were able get some layups and hit some key threes."
Bukowski shot 8 of 10 from the field, and also grabbed six rebounds in the victory.
But with a 6 three-pointers from Alex Knutson, the Scarlets were able to outscore the Tigers 44-38 in the second half. Mankato West cut the lead down to two before Aaron Mathiowetz hit back-to-back three-pointers to put Marshall's lead to eight in the second half.
"Mankato West was very aggressive (in the second half)," Critchley said. "They really got after it on the defensive end and they wanted to make it an ugly game. Their kids were pretty strong."
Marshall was able to capitalize on its own aggressiveness, converting 23 of 29 free-throw attempts. Mason Schnaible, who finished with 11 points, led the team at the free-throw line, going 7 of 8.
Austin Saugstad put out a solid all-around effort for Marshall with 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals.
"Austin's been playing very well on both ends lately," Critchley said. "He rebounds, plays defense and he's doing a lot of the little things to help us win."
The defending Section 2AAA champions, Marshall learns its playoff fate today when the section seedings are announced.
Marshall (73)
Tanner Bukowski 8 3-4 20, Derek Buysse 1 0-0 2, Lee Christianson 0 6-8 6, Aaron Mathiowetz 3 0-0 8, Hunter Peterson 1 1-2 3, Austin Saugstad 3 6-7 12, Mason Schnaible 2 7-8 11, Shawn Tykwinski 3 0-0 9, Alex Werner 1 0-0 2. Totals 22 23-29 73. Three-Pointers 6 (Tykwinski 3) Rebounds 38 (Peterson 8) Assists 13 (Saugstad 4) Steals 10 (Saugstad 4) Blocks 3 (Schnaible 2) Turnovers 15 Total Fouls 16.
Mankato West (69)
Josh Athey 5 0-2 10, Carter Burmeister 1 2-2 4, Jake Dale 1 1-2 3, Nick Herwig 1 0-0 2, Alex Knutson 8 0-0 22, Austin Majeskie 1 2-3 5, Kennedy Maker 0 3-4 3, Dan Wills 9 2-4 20. Totals 26 10-17 69. Three-Pointers 7 (Knutson 6) Rebounds 32 (Knutson 7) Assists 13 (Burmeister 6) Steals 7 Blocks 1 (Wills) Turnovers 19 Total Fouls 23.
Halftime Score: Marshall 35, Mankato West 25.