Lumberjacks Comeback Falls Just Two Points Short

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Dec 22, 2011

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

CLOQUET – Three times Thursday night the Cloquet Lumberjacks came back from an 11 point deficit only to see the last comeback fall short as Cloquet falls to Minneapolis Southwest by a score of 59-52 at home Thursday evening.

The Lumberjacks, who were seeking their second win of the season, were hoping to enter the Holiday break on a winning note against a winless Lakers squad, who was seeking their first win in this their eighth game of the season.

The first half saw the Lakers jump out to an early lead as they used good ball movement and penetration to build the early lead. Cloquet was trailing by 10 points at 19-9 when Dillon Johnson caught fire and connected on a few long range bombs which cut into the lead.

The Lumberjacks used a 12-2 run to tie the game at 21-21 with a little over five minutes remaining in the half but the Lakers responded as they went on a 17-6 run to close out the half with a lead of 38-27 at halftime.

The second half saw the Lakers continue to battle to hold on to the lead in the 10-11 point range. Cloquet cut the Lakers lead to three at 44-41 with 11 minutes to play, but the Lakers again responded again taking an eleven point lead with 8:25 to play.

Cloquet then fought tooth and nail over the next eight minutes and tied the game at 57-57 on a Trent Moe basket with 1:35 to play. The Lakers Demetrius Cady took a shot with five seconds remaining that missed the mark but it was a foul called that sent Cady to line as he hit the game winning free throws with five seconds remaining.

The Lumberjacks were led by Johnson who finished with 15 points on the night, Adam Laine added 14, and Zack Peterson was the only other Lumberjack in double figures with 10 points on the night. Cloquet falls to 1-4 on the season and they will be in action on Tuesday in the Northland Sports Online Wood City Classic.

The Lakers pick up their first win of the season as they move to 1-7 overall. Cady lead the Lakers with 23 points on the night including five 3-pointers in the Lakers win. Minneapolis Southwest will be in action again next Tuesday – Thursday at the Minneapolis Patrick Henry Holiday Tournament.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com