BISMARCK -- The 30-year drought without a win at a state tournament for the Wahpeton girls basketball team was ended Thursday night in Bismarck.
The Huskies defeated Mandan 61-50 in the Class A state quarterfinals at the Bismarck Event Center's Exhibit Hall, and now get to play No. 1-ranked Fargo Shanley--a rematch of the East Region semifinals.
"I don't think the girls were overlooking this game, but I think they wanted to get another shot at Shanley," Wahpeton head coach Brian Watson said. "If you are going to win a state championship, you have to beat the best teams, and I think the girls are ready to play Shanley again."
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Wahpeton (16-9) plays Shanley at 3 p.m. Friday.
Shanley edged the Huskies 53-45 last Friday--a game Wahpeton led at halftime.
Thursday's game against the Braves was won at the free-throw line. It was the Huskies first win at state since 1986--the year the school won the Class A championship.
Wahpeton was 29-for-33 from the free-throw line.
"We knew (Mandan) was in foul trouble and you can't be timid in a situation like that," said Wahpeton junior forward Tylee Irwin, who led all scorers with 30 points. "We were aggressive getting to the hoop and we made our free throws."
Wahpeton's last field goal of the game was scored with 10 minutes, 56 seconds left to play--a 3-pointer by Laken Breuer.
Irwin was 15-for-17 for the free-throw line and junior guard Amber Lingen was 9 of 10.
"We have been practicing free throws all year and we had to make them," Lingen said.
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Mandan (15-10) plays Minot in the consolation semifinals 6 p.m. Friday at Exhibit Hall.
Senior Alicia Weiand scored 17 points to lead the Braves.
