Owatonna Boys Net Late Game Winner; Girls Also Beat Northfield

The Huskies swept the Raiders in Big Nine Conference basketball Friday night. The OHS boys won 58-56 on the road, while the girls defended their home court 65-57.

In the boys game, Owatonna led by eight at the half, but then trailed by seven with about six minutes to go. Alex Emanuelson hit several three pointers during the comeback and ended with 21 points. With the game tied at 56-56 and 30 seconds to play, Jay Sullivan dribbled around for a while then found Eli Havelka in the low post for the game-winning basket. The Raiders got off a half-court shot as time expired but missed. Jake Borchert scored 12. Mason Thein added 11. The Huskies host Rochester Century on Tuesday.

The OHS girls played a back-and-forth game with Northfield, with each team leading in each half. The game was tied at 36-36 at the half. Sydney Schultz scored 20 points, 10 per half. Rachel Williamson had 15 points by halftime and was held off the scoreboard for most of the second stanza but hit a pair of back-to-back shots late in the game to give the Huskies a bit of breathing room. She ended with 20 points, including four three-point baskets. Owatonna plays at Chaska on Monday and goes to Rochester Mayo on Tuesday.

Seven Owatonna wrestlers have advanced to the second day of the Minnesota Christmas tournament in Rochester. Peyton Robb, Cade King and Brandon Moen are in the quarterfinals. Wrestlers still in the consolation bracket include Blake Westphal, Griffin Thorn, Goy Tut and Austin Abbas. St. Michael-Albertville leads the team standings, just in front of Apple Valley. Simley is third. Farmington is 11th. Owatonna is tied with Hastings in 16th place.

Scoreboard, Friday, December 18
Boys basketball
Owatonna 58, Northfield 56
USC 60, Blooming Prairie 55
NRHEG 66, Medford 38
Pine Island 59, Triton 43
Rochester JM 73, Rochester Mayo 63
Mankato East 60, Hutchinson 53
Austin 71, Rochester Century 42
Waseca 74, Blue Earth Area 40
Faribault 67, Winona 56

Girls basketball
Owatonna 65, Northfield 57
NRHEG 58, Medford 51
USC 68, Blooming Prairie 38
Rochester Century 65, Austin 63
Rochester JM 47, Rochester Mayo 45
Waseca 57, Blue Earth Area 54