By Steve Morris

The Vikings boys basketball team split a pair of games last week, falling to Benilde-St. Margaret's and squeaking past St. Francis in a one-point nail-biter.

Versus the Red Knights, North Branch jumped ahead early only to have BSM gain control of the lead and enter halftime with a four point lead. In the second stanza it was BSM who poured in 41 points to cruise to the 79-59 victory on Feb. 6.

"We had our chances early in the second half but just couldn't convert. We had a wide open three and missed and they came down and hit a three to make it a six point turn around," head coach Bill Baumann said.

Junior Jake Chambers paced the team with 22 points. The Red Knights outrebounded the Vikings 26-41.

"We got a couple of their bigger players in foul trouble but they are able to bring someone just as big off the bench," Baumann said.

Justin Novak added five assists in the loss.

Versus St. Francis, the Vikings managed a one-point win, 52-51 on Feb. 9.

Nick Perrin had a team high 22 points in the win, including three clutch free throws with less than a minute left in the game.

The bench players continued to play a significant role for the Vikings. Against St. Francis, North Branch bench outscored St.Francis's bench 8-0.

St. Francis made a three pointer with five seconds left, but the Vikings kept their composer and walked away with the win.

"The kids did a nice job of following instructions and letting them have the three in the last five seconds and not fouling them because we knew the clock would run out," Baumann said.

St. Francis 15 36 51
North Branch 20 32 52

Ryan Norman 2, Jake Kovarik 2, Justin Novak 8, Nick Perrin 22, John Lindstrom 2, Jake Chambers 10, Bryce Hunter 6.

Benilde-St. Margaret's 38 41 79
North Branch s 34 25 59

Ryan Norman 2, Justin Novak 7, Nick Perrin 15, John Lindstrom 4, Jake Chambers 22, Bryce Hunter 5, Eric Sampson 4.