Schools

PHOTOS: Richfield Falls Short in Semifinal Game Against Red Wing

Richfield's run for state champions ended Thursday afternoon.

The Richfield High School girls basketball team fell to the Red Wing Wingers in an state tournament semifinals upset Thursday afternoon.

Richfield, seeded No. 1 going into the tournament, was trumped 61-59, ending their run for state champions.

Richfield beat Red Wing in the first round of the 2012 tournament.

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In addition, Richfield senior, and one of the team's top scorers, Sierra Ford-Washington suffered a knee injury early in the game that put her out of commission for the rest of the matchup.

To add to Richfield's troubles, Jessica January and Kyla Adams, the other top scorers, were both benched in the first half with three fouls each. Red Wing took advantage of Richfield's foul trouble and at one point lead by 10. (A few awesome three-pointers didn't hurt the Wingers, either.)

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After halftime, January and Adams returned to the game and the Spartans eventually tied the team 40-40. However, more missed opportunities and fouls plagued the team.

In fairness, the game was riddled with foul calls that hurt both sides of the court. Three Red Wing and two Richfield players (Hailey Lindblom and Adams) eventually fouled out of the game.

In the last minute, Richfield made good decisions to try and get the win, but Red Wing's free throw abilities proved too refined.

Red Wing moves on to the championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 16 at Target Center. The Wingers opponent will be determined by the outcome of the 2 p.m. Thursday matchup at Target Center with DeLaSalle and Monticello.

*Richfield will still play in the consolation bracket game at 2 p.m. Saturday at Concordia College.

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