Jimmy Lafakis/MDN Velva junior forward Rylee Frantsen (white) and DLB junior center Brooklyn Benno (red) fight for a loose ball in the second half of Thursday's Class B game in Velva. The Lakers earned a 58-48 win over the Aggies.

VELVA — A third-quarter surge made the difference for the Des Lacs-Burlington girls basketball team.

DLB (13-6, 4-3 District 12) pulled away in the latter stages of Thursday’s Class B contest against Velva (9-9, 5-1 District 11). The Lakers outscored the Aggies 23-8 in the third quarter and captured a 58-48 victory.

“That’s the difference in the game,” DLB head coach Tracy Bonn said. “Just to be able to come out like that on both ends of the court. Play that hustle defense, still come down, get your offense ran and get good shots off.”

Both teams faced different challenges throughout the evening. DLB looked to show mettle in its regular-season finale, while Velva aimed to hold court on senior night.

In the first quarter, the Lakers and Aggies flew around the court. Velva held an early 13-12 lead, but the action stagnated in the second frame.

“This game wasn’t perfect by any means,” Bonn said. “We went up and down a little bit. The fact that we were able to stick together and still pull through at the end, that’s what we want to take in the district tournament.”

Velva led 27-19 at halftime, but the Lakers pushed the tempo in the third quarter. After forcing several Velva turnovers and finding transition buckets, the Lakers enjoyed a 44-37 advantage early in the fourth quarter.

“Our goal every game is to get out and run,” DLB sophomore guard MacKenzie Rist said. “We play really well when we play our game.”

The Aggies made a valiant effort, but the Lakers stymied their comeback attempt. When the buzzer sounded, DLB celebrated after the hard-earned 58-48 triumph.

“We now know that we can compete against anyone,” Rist said. “It’s a different environment when you’re out on the road, but we get out and play anyways. It doesn’t matter.”

Rist tallied a game-high 15 points. DLB junior center Brooklyn Benno (14 points) and senior guard Sara Bonn (13 points) also reached double figures.

Velva freshman guard Olivia Passa and sophomore guard/forward Whitney Schepp scored nine points apiece.

“You take something and learn from each game,” Velva head coach Chris Braaten said. “DLB played all 32 minutes. They played hard, hustled and nailed some shots. You have to learn how to bounce back from that and answer their shots with our own shots. We’re a young team still trying to figure things out. I hate to say that going this close to districts, but it’s time to grow, learn and get better. That’s what this season is about.”

The Aggies will travel to Langdon Area/Edmore/Munich for a 7 p.m. game on Saturday, while DLB will rest until the District 12 Tournament at the Minot Municipal Auditorium. The Lakers have locked up the No. 4 seed and will face No. 5 Bishop Ryan at approximately 4:30 p.m. in next Thursday’s first-round contest.

“They were so smart tonight,” Bonn said of the Lakers. “It worked out really well.”

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