Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Our Redeemer's senior forward Landon Lang maintains control of the ball during Tuesday night's game in Des Lacs. The Knights captured a 58-55 victory over the Lakers.

DES LACS — When Evan Stenvold stepped up to the charity stripe, he took a deep breath. Tuesday’s District 12 contest against Des Lacs-Burlington hung in the balance.

The Our Redeemer’s senior forward locked in and hit two free throws to give the Knights (9-2, 4-0 District 12) a 58-55 victory over the Lakers (5-8, 1-3 District 12) in Des Lacs. Stenvold’s two makes effectively iced the game.

“I knew what was at stake,” he said. “I knew it was a close game, so I just had to step up and make them. I was a little bit (nervous), but we practice at least 50 free throws a day.”

ORCS sophomore guard Zach Hendrickson led the Knights in the scoring column with 25 points, but Stenvold clinched the victory after a wild sequence. With the game tied at 55, Hendrickson split a pair of free throws.

After Hendrickson missed the second shot, Stenvold stole an errant DLB pass at halfcourt. He took a few dribbles before getting fouled.

“I just knew I had to get it across halfcourt,” Stenvold said. “They were going to foul me. I was going to put in a couple of free throws and win the game.”

In some ways, the clash unfolded as a tale of two halves. After taking a 13-12 lead into the second quarter, ORCS limited DLB to two points in the second frame.

Both squads favored a physical style of play beneath the basket. The Knights held a 23-14 advantage at the break.

“We ask them, ‘What wins games?'” ORCS head coach Brody Bosch said. “Free throws. We ask them, ‘What wins championships?’ That’s defense.”

Knights and Lakers fans alike packed the gym. Both fan bases were treated to a second-half spectacle.

Hendrickson and DLB freshman guard Drew Clock engaged in a duel. After staying quiet early, each young guard exploded for over 20 points in the half.

“(Hendrickson) is a great leader for us,” Bosch said. “A good point guard. He can go get shots when the team needs him.”

The Lakers cut the deficit to 44-42 with 3:50 remaining. Clock and Hendrickson continued to amaze, but the Knights found themselves in the right place at the right time.

DLB called a timeout after Stenvold sunk both shots. As Stenvold returned to the ORCS bench, he was greeted with a swarm of high-fives.

“Some nights, (Stenvold) gets more minutes than other nights,” Bosch said. “Tonight, we needed him to rebound, box out and hit free throws. That’s what he did.”

ORCS employed a balanced scoring attack, as seven Knights recorded points.

Clock finished with a team-high 22 points for the Lakers, while DLB freshman forward Will Mayo added 12.

“Our Redeemer’s forced our guards to play strong tonight,” DLB head coach Tyler Ystaas said. “They applied good defensive pressure on the ball. I thought we adjusted well once we got used to seeing that a little bit more. Our Redeemer’s is one of the best defensive teams we’ve seen so far. By necessity, we had to work harder to get the ball moving.”

Both teams will play again on Friday night. DLB will travel to Mohall/Lansford/Sherwood for a 7 p.m. tilt, while ORCS will host archrival Bishop Ryan at 7:15 p.m.

“It’s my last year,” Stenvold said. “I want to make the most of it.”

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.