Fergus Falls is going to the Class 3A state championship for the first time in school history, and the Otters are doing it against the odds.

Fergus Falls defeated Red Wing 58-55 on Thursday, surviving when a Red Wing 3-pointer was released a split-second after the horn.

Getting that far was never easy.

On Dec. 26, reports indicate Otters coach Dave Rund drove off the road and submerged his car in a pond. Rund was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving at the scene and resigned from his coaching job on Jan. 21.

Matt Johnson took over as coach while Rund’s son, sophomore Nathan Rund, continued his role as the team’s leading scorer.

On Thursday, Rund scored 23 points for Fergus Falls. And again, Rund and his team did it despite adverse conditions. The Otters (28-3) led by eight at halftime, but the lead kept getting smaller. With 3:24 left, Rund airballed a shot.

Sophomore Harrison Christensen picked him up by taking a charge, then drawing a foul on the other end to keep Fergus Falls in control.

“You live for moments like this,” Christensen said. “I think we all trust each other, so when it’s your turn to step up, everyone believes that you can make the shot or take the charge or get the rebound.”

Late in the game, Rund stood on the right side of the lane clapping and shouting “come on” before Red Wing (28-3) attempted two free throws that could have tied the game. Both missed.

And finally, when Rund was on the line with 12.7 seconds left and a one-point lead, he sank both shots.

After the Otters survived Red Wing’s final possession, many moments could have come to mind. But the one that stuck out was the bus ride after losing in last season’s section playoffs when Johnson said the whole team committed to the theme of “All in.”

A year later, though not with the most predictable path, Fergus Falls is making history.

“We’re a very close group,” Rund said. “In big moments like this, we sure live them up.”

Fergus Falls defeated Red Wing 58-55 Thursday at Target Center to advance to the Class 3A state championship.

The Otters held on despite a late attempt from Red Wing to overcome an eight-point halftime deficit. Red Wing had a 3-point shot go in at the end of the game, but the buzzer had already sounded. At the sound of the horn, Fergus Falls players ran to midcourt for a joyous celebration.

Ben Munson scored 17 points for Red Wing. Nathan Rund led Fergus Falls with 23 points, including two late free throws to seal the game.

The Otters will play DeLaSalle on Saturday at 5 p.m. for the state title. DeLaSalle is seeking its fifth consecutive championship, and Fergus Falls is playing for its first in school history.

Check back later for more on the game.