Though comfortably ahead at halftime on Thursday at Williams Arena, Minneapolis North players would not hear of slowing down.

“We were trying not to let them score – trying to break a record,” Polars’ senior guard Pat Dembley said.

A published record for fewest points scored in a state tournament game does not exist but Dembley’s point remained clear. Top-ranked and No. 1 seed Minneapolis North came to play. The Polars, playing in their first state tournament since 2003, rolled to a 80-27 victory against St. Clair.

Minneapolis North (27-5) opened the second half with a 28-2 run. Pressure defense forced 32 turnovers and held the Cyclones (22-8) to 24 percent shooting for the game.

“We try to force as many turnovers as we can in a game,” said Dembley, who led the Polars with eight steals.

Five Polars scored 10 or more points, led by Tyler Johnson and Jamil Jackson Jr. with 14 apiece.

“We love playing an up-tempo type of game,” Johnson said. “Teams have tried to slow us down but we have the power to push it back up to the way we like to play.”

No. 1 seed Minneapolis North (27-5) breezed to a 80-27 victory against St. Clair (22-8) in Thursday’s Class 1A quarterfinal game played at Williams Arena.

Five Polars scored 10 or more points, led by Tyler Johnson and Jamil Jackson Jr. with 14 apiece.

Ahead 39-18 at halftime, the Polars went on a 28-2 run to start the second half. St. Clair was making their state tournament debut. The Polars are making their first state tournament appearance since 2003, when they won the Class 4A state championship.

The Cyclones struggled in the first half, making just one of 15 three-point attempts and committing 12 turnovers.

Check back later for more on the game.