It was a long, tough week for the Wolfpack.

After taking tough losses against Suburban East Conference foes East Ridge and White Bear Lake Wednesday and Friday, the Wolfpack simply ran out of gas late Saturday afternoon against visiting Hastings.

Playing without leading scorer Anthony Giadyu (20 ppg.) the Wolfpack eventually faded down the stretch and dropped a 78-67 decision to a very good Hastings team.

The game was tied several times in the second half, including at 54-all with 9:02 to play and Park trailed just 65-62 with 58 seconds left. But the Raiders outscored the Wolfpack 13-5 in the final minute of play to earn the victory.

While crediting Hastings, the three games stretch in four days was definitely a factor late in the game Saturday for the Wolfpack said head coach Isaiah Wallfred.

“We battled, we competed,” said Wallfred. “I thought we played really well. They played that 1-2-2 extended zone the entire game and we thought we moved the ball really well. And early on we made some shots. I’d like to see us get to the basket a little more. But other than that it really just came down to at the end we missed shots we normally make.

“And I think a big part of that is this is three games in four days,” Wallfred added. “It’s bad scheduling, that’s what it is. And when you play three games in four days and there emotional, battle-tested games, East Ridge and White Bear Lake is really physical and tough and big and so it just got to the point where we were a little worn out. We got beat down a little and that’s why those shots didn’t drop.”

 

Miskir Esayas and Brandon Bihm each scored 14 points to pace the Wolfpack. Caleb Sweet scored 13 while Mac Maluski and Justin Ebbers had 11 each.   

Park fell to 10-12 on the season. Hastings went to 18-4 overall.

Park (10-12, 5-9) has three games left in the regular season, starting with a home game against Woodbury (9-13, 6-8) Friday with a 7 p.m. start. The Wolfpack then close at home against Forest Lake (5-17, 2-12) on Tuesday Feb. 25 and on the road at Mounds View (16-6, 9-5) on Feb. 27.

White Bear Lake 80, Park 70

After two consecutive conference wins on the road, Park dropped its second straight Suburban East Conference game at home Friday, falling to visiting White Bear Lake 80-70.

Park cut the lead to one point late in the second half but couldn’t get over the hump.

White Bear Lake improved to 7-7 in the SEC and 12-9 on the season.

Park tumbled to 5-9 in the conference – in eighth place -- and 10-11 overall.

East Ridge 72, Park 58

East Ridge made it a clean sweep of Park this season, winning 72-58 at Cottage Grove Wednesday evening.

The Raptors led 33-28 at the half but then pulled away with a 39-30 edge after intermission.

Anthony Giadyu once again led Park in scoring 1ith 19 points. Justin Ebbers added 14, Brandon Bihm 9 and Miskir Esayas 7.

The Raptors improved to 11-2 in the Suburban East Conference and 15-5 overall. Park fell to 5-8 in the conference and 10-10 on the season.