Turnovers trouble Byron in state quarterfinal loss to Alexandria – Post Bulletin

Editor’s note: This story will be updated later with comments from coaches and players.

MINNEAPOLIS — There were 15 total lead changes between No. 6 Byron and No. 3 Alexandria Area.

Those started early, as back-to-back 3-pointers put the Bears (26-4) up 8-4 at the beginning of the first half. The Cardinals (27-3) answered with a 3-point basket and a dunk to go up by one. From there it was a lot of back and forth.

Behind some gritty defense and excellent shot selection in the second half, the Cardinals prevailed with an 82-70 Class 3A boys basketball state quarterfinal win. They will move on to the state semifinals to play No. 2 Totino-Grace at 2 p.m. on Friday at the University of Minnesota’s Williams Arena.

The Bears will play No. 7 Duluth Denfeld in the consolation semifinals at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at Gangelhoff Center at Concordia University-St. Paul.

Alexandria was all over the Bears in the second half and the Cardinals got out in front. Senior and Clemson University commit Chase Thompson found himself in a bit of foul trouble in the first half and was on the bench often — he played just 17 minutes, 53 seconds in the game — but he returned to finish the game and made an impact when he was on the floor.

Senior guard Will Brian and senior forward Colin Hansen led the way for the Bears with 18 points each. Junior guard Fisher Kruckeberg added 13 points and Senior Max Dearborn notched 12. Junior Mason Witt scored a team-high 18 points for Alexandria.

Turnovers were a bit of an issue for the Bears in the first half as they racked up 16 while the Cardinals had five. The turnovers were offset by Byron shooting 58% from the field. By the end of the game, Byron finished with 25 turnovers and shot 52% from the floor. The 25 turnovers led to 33 Alexandria points.

This is Byron’s first state tournament since 2021 and third appearance all time. Alexandria is on its third consecutive state-run.

BOX SCORE: Alexandria 82, Byron 70