Close losses

The B-B-E Jaguars boys' basketball team lost a tough one 42-40 to Kimball Area tonight. The Jaguars had a 40-32 lead with 6:16 left in the game. They went stone cold from that point on and suffered their first loss of the season and the first in Central Minnesota Conference play.

Junior guard Will VanBeck led the Jaguars with 13 points. They shot a solid 10-of-12 on free throws, but cold 31-percent field goal shooting led to their demise. They drained just 12 of 38 two-point attempts for the game.

I haven't received official scores out of Kimball yet. I have a hunch the BBE vs. Kimball match is still in progress.

*Update: the Willmar Cardinals defeated the Jaguars by a 30-29 score. They entered tonight with a 5-1 dual meet record, while the Jaguars were 8-1 coming in. Willmar also beat Kimball Area 51-25 in the second dual of the night.

*Exciting update! I needed this to cap my day. The B-B-E Jaguars wrestling team defeated No. 9-ranked Kimball Area 42-30 to remain undefeated in Central Minnesota Conference duals. I am beyond thrilled for our wrestling team. B-B-E built an insurmountable 42-7 lead heading into the 182-pound match. This was their fourth dual in two nights, all four against extremely tough opponents. Not only that, this was the sixth dual overall this week. They left it all on the mat to beat a very good Cubs team.

Also exciting tonight: B-B-E junior Blaine Fischer earned his 150th career win. He is rising in the ranks of the career leader board at B-B-E!

Great job!

Area scoreboard to come on Saturday.

Central MN Conference boys' basketball scores on January 29:

Eden Valley-Watkins 84, Royalton 27
Maple Lake 59, Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City 54

Area boys' basketball scores on January 29:
Montevideo 66, Benson 64
New London-Spicer 57, Dassel-Cokato 54
Melrose 65, Osakis 31
Upsala 41, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 31
Parkers Prairie 101, Underwood 43
Ashby 73, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 48
Hancock 76, Battle Lake 47
Pillager 69, Henning 54