Deacons on top

Fargo Shanley re-established itself as the top team in Eastern Dakota Conference girls basketball Tuesday at the Fargo South gym.

Behind 12 points from Katie Bowar, the Deacons scored a 45-42 victory against South with first place in the EDC at stake.

"We really wanted to take over the top of the EDC," Bowar said.

Shanley (11-2, 9-1 EDC) was a half game behind South (9-5, 9-2) entering the game. The Deacons had won nine consecutive games before losing at Devils Lake last Friday for their first conference loss.

"I thought that this was huge for us coming off that loss in Devils Lake," Shanley coach Tim Jacobson said. "We had to show that we belong. I thought tonight we played with a lot more toughness than we had all year."

South had its four-game winning streak snapped. The Bruins' previous loss was against Shanley on Jan. 12, a 55-50 setback.

"I hope we get to play them again in the regional tournament," South coach Craig Flaagan said. "Right now, Shanley is No. 1 in the EDC."

The Deacons grabbed control with an 18-2 run that started late in the first half and ended in the second half. All five Shanley starters scored in the critical rally. Kayla Bowar capped the surge, scoring a transition layup with 14 minutes, 13 seconds remaining in the second half.

The Deacons led 35-23.

South scored 12 of the next 14 points to claw back into the game. The Bruins later pulled within 44-42 after Katie Thorson hit a 3-pointer with 39 seconds to play.

South had two chances to tie the score or take the lead in the final 30 seconds, but didn't get a shot off on either possession. On the Bruins' final possession, they lost the ball near the 3-point line and time expired before they could regain control.

"We had some great defensive stops and then we came down and didn't execute," Flaagan said. "We had plenty of opportunities to tie or take the lead because our defense was very good."

Shanley scored eight points in the final 12½ minutes. South was limited to seven points in the final 9½ minutes.

"Defensively, I thought we played really solid," Jacobson said.

SHANLEY (11-2, 9-1 EDC): Kayla Bowar 3 0-0 8, Schuler 1 4-7 6, Katie Bowar 5 1-2 12, Paulson 5 1-3 11, Carew 2 2-4 6, Jackson 0 0-0 0, Pollard 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 8-27 45.

SOUTH (9-5, 9-2): Burck 2 0-0 4, Thorson 5 1-1 14, Stroup 2 0-1 4, Haring 1 1-4 3, Pattison 3 1-3 7, Stensgard 1 0-2 2, Hage 1 0-0 2, Anstadt 1 4-4 6. Totals 16 7-15 42.

Half: Shanley 29, South 23. 3-point goals: Kayla Bowar 2, Katie Bowar, Thorson 3. Total fouls: SH 19, FS 20. Fouled out: Kayla Bowar. Technical foul: Pattison. Rebounds: SH 33 (Carew 9), FS 27 (Pattison 7). Assists: SH 15 (Paulson 5), FS 13 (Haring 6). Turnovers: SH 19, FS 24.

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Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513.

Peterson's prep sports blog can be found

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