Minnesota State Tournament 3A Quarterfinals

     Minnesota State Tournament 3A Quarterfinals      St. Paul Johnson (20-8) Vs Austin (23-5)      

The second Game of the Day at Williams Area in class 3A. Austin comes in as an 4^th seed and make it to state for the first time in 30 years. Johnson is unseated this year but is playing in the State Tournament 5^th year in a row and won a state title 2 years ago.

Tip-off won by Johnson

First score by Johnson freshman Jalen Mobley in traffic for layup

Johnson gets out to a 5-2 lead with16:00 left in the first half

Austin having a tough start down 7-2 with 14:30 left in the first half

The pace picks up a little for Austin still down 13-8 with 12:30 left in the first half

Austin goes on a 5-0 run to tie it up at 13 with 10:29 left in first half

Johnson holds the lead half way into the first half up 18-13  

20-15 Johnson up with 9:07 left in the half Marcus Marshall a with fast start 10 of their 20 points

Johnson is playing at their pace and running 26-19 with Austin trying to do the same

Austin is keeping the pace led by Zach Wessels down 30-26 with 5:30 left in the first half

This is a battle in the first half as both teams make big runs 33-31 Johnson up with 3:17 left in first half

This game is being played at Johnson pace, but Austin is Hot coming down the stretch 35 up with 1:25 left in first half

Austin takes their first lead 2 free throws by Joe Aase 37-35 with 1:00 left in first half 

Austin fights from behind the whole first half to take the lead at the half 37-35

Johnson gets the first score of the second half by Bajuan Adams 37 up 16:30 left in the second half

Jalen Mobley hits a 3 for Johnson taking the lead back 40-39 with 15:40 left in the second half

Both teams exchange the lead 46-45 Johnson up with 13:00 left in the half

Johnson holding the lead in second half 50-47 for the last 2:00 min 9:00 left in the game

This game has gotten intense as their playing a great game in the second half

Johnson defense hold Austin scoreless the last 5:00 min 56-47

Austin calls time out down 56-47 with 7:15 left in the second half

Johnson calls time out up 56-50 with 6:23 left in half

The pace of the game is catching up with Austin at Johnson get the lead to double digits 62-50 with 5:15 left in the game

Austin continues to keep fight closing the gap 65-61 on a 11-3 run led by Goliath Oboyo with 1:20 left in half

Marcus Marshall misses 2 big free throws with 1:11 left in the game 65-61

Zach Wessels hits a big 3 to close the gap 68-66 with 7 sec left in the game

Quashingm Smith-Pugh seals the game and gets the win for Johnson at the line 71-66

Johnson last 3 lose has been to Washburn, Hopkins, and Onalaska (WI) and Austin was not that caliber team. Marcus Marshall (23pts) was the best player on the court and you could tell that Johnson had been here before. Johnson got great team play Quashingm Smith-Pugh 12, Jalen Mobley and Bajuan Adams 11 a piece.

Austin came to play but played at Johnson pace. Joe Aase 25 9reb 4blk, Zach Wessels 14 6ast