MINOT, N.D. -- The Linton girls basketball team had a 10-point lead and led more than 32 minutes.
But not even that was enough to defeat defending North Dakota Class B champion Larimore.
Tracy Morseth had 16 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Polar Bears to a 38-37 overtime victory against Linton on Saturday in the state title game at the Minot State Dome.
The win, which extends Larimore's state-record unbeaten streak to 56 games, makes the Polar Bears the fifth team in state history to capture back-to-back state championships.
"(Linton) had a very good press," Morseth said. "But when it came down to the last six minutes of the game, we played the defense we needed to win the championship."
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Morseth, a second-team, all-state selection last year, scored in the paint with 3 minutes, 28 seconds remaining in overtime to give Larimore its first lead 34-32.
The Polar Bears (28-0) extended their lead to five points before Linton clawed its way back with free throws.
The Lions (24-4) were 5 of 6 from the line in the final 2:16 of overtime to make the score 38-37.
Larimore's Chris Gullikson missed a pair of free throws with 13.9 seconds remaining to give the Lions a chance for the win.
But a last-second, desperation shot by Janell Huber with a defender's hand in her face bounced off the back of the rim.
"I really thought we outplayed them the whole game, including the overtime," Linton coach Brian Flyberg. "... It was such a wonderful effort and I couldn't be more satisfied with what this team has done."
Linton's full-court press limited the Polar Bears to just six field goals in the first half.
Larimore shot 33 percent and turned the ball over 11 times before halftime.
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The Lions parlayed the Polar Bears' offensive woes into a 20-12 lead at the intermission.
Morseth scored six of Larimore's final seven points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of free throws that tied the game at 32-32.
Larimore used a 12-0 run at the end of fourth and into overtime to take its first lead. Linton went scoreless for more than five minutes during the run.
"I told them 'how ever long it takes, we're winning this game,'" Larimore coach Leon Carey said. "There was so much expected of this team, coming off a state title. My hat's off to these kids for their fantastic dedication."
Larimore 4 12 31 32 38
Linton 11 20 26 32 37
LARIMORE: Hallsten 1 0-0 2, Rankin 0 0-0 0, Gullikson 3 1-4 7, Kaminski 0 2-4 2, Clawson 0 0-0 0, King 0 2-2 2, Morseth 6 4-5 16, Klawson 3 2-4 9. Totals 13 11-19 38.
LINTON: Schatz 4 4-6 18, Ogren 1 0-0 2, Huber 3 2-2 8, Schmaltz 2 2-2 6, Nagel 0 0-0 0, Flyberg 1 0-0 3, Larson 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 8-10 37.
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3-point goals: Klawon, Schatz 2, Flyberg. Total fouls: Larimore 13, Linton 17. Rebounds: Larimore 39 (Morseth 13), Linton 21 (Huber 6). Assists: Larimore 8 (Gullikson 5), Linton 11 (Schatz 5).
Readers can reach Forum reporter Heath Hotzler at (701) 241-5562
