Coach Kate Dale's squad beat host Pine River-Backus 52-14 on Tuesday, Jan. 26, after leading 25-6 at the half. On Thursday, Jan. 28, the Patriots led the visiting Hibbing Bluejackets 20-10 at the half on their way to a 45-34 win. The Patriots then fell to Staples-Motley 57-55 in overtime on Friday, Jan. 29.

At PR-B, the Patriots' Sydney Johnson had nine points, Lindzee Johnson seven, and Carissa Maher six.

Against Hibbing, Sydney Johnson had a team-high 13 points while Megan Hogan added 11, Jessica Johnson eight, Michele Hayes five and Kaycee Nelson four.

"We really played welled defensively," said Coach Dale. "And Sydney (Johnson) hit a couple of big threes in the second half to break it open."

At Staples, the Patriots trailed early 13-2 before cutting the deficit to 29-22 at the break.

The Patriots continued their comeback in the second half, and finally took a 44-42 lead when Kaycee Nelson hit a three pointer. The game was tied at 50 a the end of regulation time. S-M then scored seven of the 12 points in overtime to win. Jaelin Benchy hit two free throws with 7.6 seconds left to clinch the win.

Sydney Johnson and Jessica Kreitz each had 12 points, Nelson 11, and Rachel Mast and Hogan each with nine for Pequot Lakes.

Benchy had 20 points, and Brooke Wolhowe got 11 for the Cardinals.

"The kids played hard and never gave up," Coach Dale said. "If we had shot our free throws better, it wouldn't have even went to overtime."