LA CROSSE — A game-changing run at the start of the second half is the reason the Aquinas High School boys basketball team will play Saturday for a berth in the WIAA Division 4 state tournament.
The top-seeded Blugolds were shadowed by sixth-seeded Onalaska Luther for a half during Thursday’s sectional semifinal matchup but turned on the jets immediately after halftime and built a lead that produced a 67-49 victory over the Knights at Central’s Mark Sutton Memorial Gymnasium.
Aquinas (23-3) scored the first 14 points — senior Trey Bahr had 10 of them — of the second half and held Luther (21-7) scoreless for a stretch of 6 minutes, 25 seconds to extend a 34-30 halftime lead and quickly pull away from the Knights.
The Blugolds earned a spot in Saturday’s sectional championship against second-seeded Cumberland (21-5). That game will be played at Eau Claire North and tip off at 7 p.m.
Bahr scored a game-high 29 points and made two 3-pointers during the opening run of the second half. He also scored on two drives to the basket and gave Aquinas a 48-30 lead with 11:48 left in the game. He scored 16 points in the second half as Aquinas broke open a close game with solid shooting and timely offensive rebounding.
Sophomore Calvin Bahr and junior Logan Becker also scored 12 points apiece for the Blugolds, who never led their lead slip below 14 points the rest of the game. Calvin Bahr made two 3-pointers in the first half, and Becker knocked down one in each half as Aquinas beat Luther for a second time this season.
The Knights were led by sophomore Logan Pierce’s 14 points. He made three 3-pointers and made two consecutively in the first half to tie the game at 28.
Finley Strom then scored four straight points for Aquinas, and Trey Bahr gave the Blugolds their 34-30 halftime lead with a hoop.
Seniors Jackson Kendall and Will Huelskamp each added 10 points for the Knights, who had won three in a row since a loss to West Salem in the final regular-season game of the year.
