The Grand Forks Central girls basketball team had a height advantage over East Grand Forks Senior High at nearly every position.
When the Green Wave went to the free-throw line, however, there wasn't anything the taller Knights could do.
The Wave hit 22 of 24 free throws in the second half to power past the Knights 62-53 on Thursday night in the Senior High gymnasium.
"We always talk about free throws winning games," Senior High coach Durene Frydenlund said. "Fortunately for us, we were in the bonus early in the second half. Those free throws were big for us confidence-wise."
The lead changed hands six times in the second half. The final lead swap came with 6 minutes, 30 seconds to go when Senior High sophomore guard Kelsey Schlenk knocked down a pair of free throws for a 47-46 edge.
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The Green Wave knocked down 11 free throws the rest of the way. Green Wave junior guard Aubrie Carlstrom, who finished with a game-high 23 points, led the way at the line with an 11-for-13 performance.
"We attempt 10 free throws, and they shoot 37," Central coach Brent Hintz said. "And I say that meaning we just fouled too much. When they're getting 29 points at the line, they're getting half of their points there. It's tough to beat anybody doing that, especially a good team."
Despite the foul-line disparity, Central senior guard Brianna Bacon drilled a long jumper to cut Senior High's lead to 56-53 with 2:39 to go.
But the Knights wouldn't get another basket, and the Wave would hit six free throws for the final margin.
After Bacon's basket, Senior High took advantage of no shot clock in Minnesota prep basketball. The Wave drained the clock before they drew a foul by the Knights, who would turn the ball over on their next possession.
Senior High improved to 3-3, while the Knights dropped to 0-2.
Central was playing without its starting point guard and most experienced ballhandler. Central sophomore Nicole Fennell suffered an ankle injury late in practice on Wednesday. The severity of her injury isn't known.
Central's offense was paced by Katelyn Olson. The 6-foot-1 sophomore had 12 points, while Bacon had 10, Kat Reller had eight and Taylor Hammer had seven.
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After Carlstrom's big night, Schlenk chipped in 13 points for Senior High.
"(Carlstrom) has come through for us in a few different games," Frydenlund said. "She had a great game."
Not only was Carlstrom vital for the Green Wave in the final moments, but she also had a dominant stretch in the first half.
The 5-foot-7 Carlstrom scored 12 points in less than three minutes -- a stretch that changed an 11-8 Central lead into a 20-11 Senior High edge. She hit two 3-pointers in that span.
"We gave up way too much dribble penetration, especially to Carlstrom," Hintz said. "They got her the ball, she kept driving, and we didn't stop her."
