The Breckenridge Cowboys made a valiant effort but couldn’t overcome a 39-17 halftime deficit in a 67-62 road loss to Park Rapids Area on Thursday.
Like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Breckenridge played as two wildly different teams, going silent offensively in the first half and getting whatever scoring looks they wanted for much of the second half.
The Cowboys stormed back behind the one-two punch of Levi Christensen and Cooper Roberts in the low post. Christensen scored a career-high 26 points and Roberts tied his career high in scoring with 19 points and nine rebounds.
Christensen came alive with 19 second-half points and Roberts scored 13 after the break.
Aidan Sanchez joined his teammates in double figures with 10 points.
Breckenridge played smothering defense to get within three points with 34 seconds remaining, but an inability to attack the Panthers zone prevented them from completing the upset bid.
Park Rapids was led by Ryan Carroll’s 23 points. Carter Hirt scored 15 points, Landon Strasburg 13, Parker Hunter 11 and Thomas Lopez eight.
