SAUK RAPIDS-Michael Russell posted 27 points and eight assists to lead the Brainerd Warriors in a 68-63 Central Lakes Conference loss to the Sauk Rapids Storm Tuesday.
Ben Staehling came off the bench to add 13 points and Mike Bieganek grabbed 1 rebounds to go with two blocked shots and seven points for the Warriors, who have lost three straight.
"Our kids came back after being down by 10 in the second half to close it to four, but couldn't quite close it out," Warriors coach Scott Stanfield said. "I missed a couple chances to call timeouts in crucial times which hurt us down the stretch. Michael Russell had a very good game offensively and Michael Bieganek played terrific defense on their best post player."
Brainerd shot 44 percent from the field, but were outrebounded 37-31 by the Storm, who have won three straight. The Warriors also committed 13 turnovers while forcing just eight.
Sauk Rapids 36 32-68
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Brainerd 30 33-63
SAUK RAPIDS
Nathan Waldorf 4, Cade Milton-Baumgardner 7, Braden Tretter 4, Deng Deang 21, Cody Landwehr 11, Anthony Massman 21. FG 23-51 (45.1 percent), FT 7-9 (77.8 percent). 3-point 5-15 (33.3 percent).
BRAINERD
Ben Staehling 13, Michael Russell 27, Chris Karels 3, Joey Sauer 8, Brandon Burggraff 3, Max Zimmerman 2, Michael Bieganek 7. FG 23-52 (44.2 percent), FT 5-6 (83.3 percent). 3-point 12-36 (33.3 percent). Conference: 3-4. Overall: 5-9. Next: hosts Sartell 7:30 p.m. Friday.
