Liberty Classical Academy Lions Routs Groves Academy Griffins

Ben Horn hit the high note Friday night, scoring a game high 31 points to lead the Liberty Classical Academy Lions to a 67-41 win over the Groves Academy Griffins on Senior Night in St. Louis Park.

It took a while for the scoring to begin but Horn would open the scoring for the Lions 1:25 into the first half.  Malik Bodden would tie the game for the Griffins.  Noah Nelson would hit the first of his four first half three pointers to spark a 5-0 run.  Bilcik would end the run with four straight points.  Nelson would score his only two point basket of the game, followed by a pair of free throws from Horn.  Max Greseth, one of two seniors to be honored along with Bodden displayed some outstanding defense as he blocked Peter Klarr's shot.  Foul trouble would plague Groves Academy when Bodden picked up his third foul with 6:57 left in the first half and Bilcik would also pick up foul number three with 1:30 to go.  Liberty Classical Academy would go for one shot and they would end the half on Nelson's fourth shot from Lake St.  The Lions led 29-16 at halftime.

The second half began just like the first with Horn and Bodden scoring first for both the Lions and the Griffins.  But Bodden would pick up his fourth foul 2:16 into the second half but the was a bright spot for Groves Academy as Nick Maiers hit three three pointers.  But it the night for Horn as he would go on a stretch of seven consecutive points.  Things would begin to unravel for the Griffins when Bodden picked up his fifth foul and also a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct that sent Horn to the line and he also score four straight points.  Greseth was assessed a technical foul at the free throw lane, giving the Lions more free throws that would put the game away.

Oher players for Liberty Classical Academy in double figures were Nelson with 17 points.  Ryan Grill added 11.  Bodden led Groves Academy with 10 points.

The Lions improve their record to 12-9 and the Griffins fell to 9-13.  Both teams will compete in the Twin Cities Athletic Conference tournament next week.  Liberty Classical Academy will host the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf Trojans on Monday, February 26 at 6 PM.  Groves Academy will head to northeast Minneapolis to face the Learning for Leadership Mustangs on Tuesday, February 27, also a 6 PM start.