Minnesota West's basketball teams each won a pair of thrillers Wednesday night as the women and men both emerged with nail-biting victories over visiting Rochester.
In the women's game, the Lady Jays — ranked third nationally -- knocked off No.1 Rochester 64-60 to win a rematch of last year's national championship contest. Minnesota West, the defending national champs, won despite a first half in which they committed 16 turnovers and shot just 33%.
Fortunately for the Lady Jays, Rochester shot just 24% in the first half. The teams were tied 9-9 at the end of the first 10 minutes and the Yellow Jackets led 22-21 at the break before both offenses woke up a bit in the second half.
Katrina Schutz had a huge game for Minnesota West, scoring 23 points on 7-of-10 overall shooting to go along with three 3-pointers and six-of-six shooting from the free throw line. Schutz also pulled down 11 rebounds. Other key contributors were Maddie Kamm and Sadie Krahling, who had 12 points each, and Rhea Tucker, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lady Jays are now 4-0 in MCAC South play and 12-7 overall.
In the men's game, Zachery Rigg hit a turnaround 3-point shot with 2.1 seconds to play as the 13th-ranked Bluejays knocked off the Yellow Jackets 66-65. Minnesota West trailed 37-27 late in the first half but wound up trailing by just 37-35 at the break and then quickly knotted the score shortly after halftime.
Both teams traded baskets down the stretch before Rigg's huge shot --- his second game-winner this week. A desperation shot for Rochester hit the rim at the buzzer.
Rigg finished with 18 points for the Bluejays, now 17-4 overall and 3-2 in MCAC South action. Keion Irvin contributed 10 points and nine rebounds, and Deondre Wallace also had 10 points.
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The Worthington Trojans wrestling team had a difficult night Tuesday in Marshall as they lost both of their matches. The Trojans were first beaten by Jackson County Central 65-9, then lost to Marshall 76-0.
In the Jackson County Central match, Dezmynd Tupper, Cael Entriken, Carson Kolander and Ryan Haley got pins and Dallas Gossen won by technical fall. Six other Huskies wrestlers picked up victories via forfeit.
JCC wound up going 1-1 on the night, as they also were beaten by Marshall 44-18. The teams were deadlocked at 15-15 after six weight classes, but the Tigers captured six of the last seven matches.
Kayden Eller won by fall over top-ranked Lincoln Christenson of Marshall at 114 pounds, Isaac Rodriguez pinned third-ranked Landon Marthaler at 129, Gossen won a decision at 139 and Ryan Haley won a decision at 189 to round out the Huskies' points.
Next up for the Huskies is a Thursday night home dual against Adrian Area. The Dragons earned a triumph Tuesday night as they defeated Luverne 64-10. Winning by fall for Adrian Area Tuesday were Bernie Rock at 114 pounds, Charger Erlandson at 145, Caleb Wolf at 160 and Jesse Bullerman at 189. Victorious by technical fall were Izaiah Groenewold at 139 and Jackson Jenniges at 152, and six other Dragons got wins via the forfeit route.
Worthington's wrestling team, meanwhile, next competes Friday evening in a tournament at Red Rock Central in Lamberton.
