LaMoure-Litchville/Marion turned out to be the Achilles’ heel for the defending state champion Benson County Wildcats.
No. 2 seed Benson County (23-3) lost 57-29 to No. 3 seed L-L/M (24-3) in the Division B state semifinals Friday at the Minot State Dome.
Two of the Wildcats’ three losses this season have come to the Loboes.
Friday’s game featured their lowest point total since Dec. 13, 2022, when they scored 13 against Carrington.
Benson County trailed 43-17 after scoring just three points in the third quarter. The Wildcats shot 9-for-45 from the field, including 0-for-11 from three-point range.
L-L/M had three players in double figures. Norah DelaBarre scored 18, Addy Smith had 13 and Julia DelaBarre had 10. L-L/M was 24-for-51 from the field.
The Loboes outrebounded the Wildcats 46-22.
Lacie Fautsch, a sophomore who surpassed 1,000 career points this season, led Benson County with 12 on Friday. Senior Aubrey Kenner, Benson County’s all-time leading scorer, had nine.
The Wildcats will play one more game in their second consecutive trip to the state tournament. They’ll face the loser of No. 4 seed Lewis & Clark – Berthold vs. No. 1 seed Central McLean in the third-place game Saturday at 6 p.m.
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