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Monticello charged back from 15 points down to upset third-seeded Fergus Falls 79-78 in double-overtime in the Class 3A quarterfinals Wednesday at Williams Arena.

The Otters had a 15-0 run in the first half, and led 50-35 in the second. But the Magic battled back and narrowed the lead until Grace Sawatzke stole the ball and scored on a layup with about 15 seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 63-all.

The teams traded baskets in the first overtime, which ended tied at 69-all. In the second overtime, Monticello (24-6) scored eight points on free throws, including two by senior Bailey Bechtold to widen the lead and put the game just out of reach. It was Monticello’s first state tournament victory ever.

Fergus Falls (29-1) had won 30 consecutive games, including last year’s third-place contest in the state tournament.

“It’s a huge win; we always said 29-1 sounds a lot better than 30-0,” Sawatzke said.

Sawatzke scored 23 points and had eight assists for the Magic. Alyssa Lentner added 18 points and Gabby Laimer and Bechtold had 16 apiece. Bailey Strand of Fergus Falls had 26 points.

Monticello made its first trip to the state tournament last year, and drew on that experience to help maintain its composure in a tight game, head coach Craig Geyen said.

The Magic will play DeLaSalle in the state semifinals Thursday looking for revenge. The two-time defending state 3A champions defeated Monticello in last year’s state tournament.

DEREK WETMORE

Wingers’ star shines

Red Wing 63, New Prague 45: Wingers coach Dave Muelken reeled off several reasons for the Wingers’ quarterfinal victory over the Trojans: strong defense, senior leadership, positive attitude, familiarity with Williams Arena and confidence gained from playing an opponent they had defeated twice during the regular season.

But the biggest reason stood 6-feet tall with a thick headband, a gymful of game and unlimited confidence.

Tesha Buck, Red Wing’s do-everything guard, used this game as a personal showcase. She scored 32 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out four assists. Most importantly, she led Red Wing into the semifinals after state tournament losses in the first game the past two seasons.

“She was great, as usual,” Muelken said. “It’s nice to have a player who can get you a basket whenever you need it.”

The game didn’t start well for Buck. The Wisconsin-Green Bay recruit committed two fouls early as New Prague took a 9-5 lead. But she found her game shortly thereafter, scoring nine consecutive points in an array of ways: pull-up jumper, long three-pointer, baseline drive and a fast-break layup. Red Wing led 25-15 at halftime, with Buck scoring 19 points

She continued her high-scoring ways well into the second half and would have had more had she not fouled out with two minutes left.

“We’ve come down here the last two years and fell short,” Buck said. “This is my senior year. I want to go out with a bang.”