The Fargo North boys basketball team might have had an idea it was going to be a good night when 6-foot-3 senior forward Nathan Ross drilled a 3-pointer early in the first half Tuesday.
Ross, who entered the game just 2 of 8 from beyond the arc in 16 games this season, helped make it six wins in a row for the Spartans.
No. 3-ranked North held off West Fargo to remain in sole possession of first place in the Eastern Dakota Conference with a 54-44 victory at the Spartandome.
"Since my sophomore year we haven't focused much on defense," said North senior Nick Schultz, who finished with 17 points. "It seems like we're getting it done on that end and it's creating offense for us. We just have to sink those free throws from now on."
The Spartans outscored the Packers 15-5 to end the first half and grab momentum.
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North held a 31-20 halftime lead as guard Brady Bergeron and Schultz combined for 19 points. Ross scored five before the break, including the 3-pointer that had almost all of his teammates smiling from ear to ear.
"You have to make some shots," West Fargo coach Greg Limke said. "Some of that is us, but North's defense is excellent, too. They deserve credit. They make it tough on you."
Senior center Justin Schock helped bring West Fargo back in the second half with an array of hook shots.
He scored 11 points in the second half to close the gap.
The Spartans helped the Packers' cause by going 6-for-16 from the free-throw line in the second half.
But it wasn't enough.
West Fargo suffered its first loss in six games. The Packers' last defeat came Jan. 25 at home against Fargo Shanley.
North outrebounded the Packers 37-19.
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"We're playing with more intensity, with the mentality that we want to win and we want to keep that top spot (in the EDC)," Schultz said. "When we got there in the past, it seemed like we would always give it up. It seemed like once we got there, there was nothing to shoot for. The way we are coming together feels great this year."
WEST FARGO: Farkas 4 1-2 12, Schwartz 3 0-0 9, Pistorius 2 0-0 4, Ringdahl 1 1-3 4, Schock 7 1-4 15. Totals: 17 3-9 44.
NORTH: Schnabel 1 0-2 2, Bergeron 5 2-7 13, Syverson 3 1-2 9, Schultz 7 3-4 17, Ross 2 0-0 5, Mullen 2 1-2 6, Fiske 1 0-0 2. Totals: 21 7-17 54.
Halftime: N 31, WF 20. 3-pointers: Farkas 3, Schwartz 3, Ringdahl, Bergeron, Syverson 2, Ross. Total fouls: WF 17, N 11. Fouled out: Pistorius. Rebounds: WF 19 (Ringdahl 7), FN 37 (Schultz 12).
Readers can reach Forum reporter Heath Hotzler at (701) 241-5562
