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Velva advances to Region 6 semis with win over DLB

Garrick Hodge/MDN Velva’s Sydney Larson (21) surveys the passing lanes during a Region 6 girls basketball game Monday in Minot.

There’s a tired sports cliche that says it’s incredibly difficult to beat a team three times in one season.

That rule didn’t apply to the Velva girls basketball team Monday.

The Aggies beat Des Lacs-Burlington for the third straight time, 51-35 in the Region 6 quarterfinals at the Minot Auditorium.

“We got a little rushed at times, defensively they extend their zone really well and have some long bodies out there,” Velva coach Chris Braaten said. “They hit some shots offensively, but once we settled down and let our offense work a bit, we hit some shots and used the clock in our favor. Our girls really found their composure towards the end of the game.”

Velva never trailed the entire game and at one point had a 16-point lead with 5:53 left in the third quarter. The Lakers responded and cut the deficit to five, Alas, Velva outscored DLB 15-6 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

“In these types of games, teams are going to put runs together,” Braaten said. “You have to try and withstand them as much as you can.”

Hope Brewer had a team-high 13 points for Velva, while Kaitlyn Lund chipped in 11. The Aggies shot 32 percent from the floor and were 4-of-18 from beyond the arc.

Brooklyn Benno had a game-high 14 points for DLB and Caitlyn Vogel added 11. DLB shot 28 percent from the floor, 4-of-9 from 3-point range and outrebounded Velva 39-34.

With the win, Velva (17-5) takes on Bottineau in the Region 6 semifinals at 7:30 p.m. tonight. The Aggies beat Bottineau 54-36 in the last meeting on Jan. 22. DLB ends its season at 17-5.

“This time of year, you never know,” Braaten said. “It doesn’t matter that we won when we played them previously. The pressure is on a little bit and it’s about us going out and executing. Hopefully we get the same result, but we have to come in ready to play. If you don’t show up, you’re done.”

Garrick Hodge covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @Garrick_Hodge

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