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Spring Lake Park holds off Robbinsdale Armstrong in low-scoring battle

By Ryan Williamson, SportsEngine, 02/14/20, 8:15AM CST

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The Panthers earned the regular-season sweep of their Northwest Suburban Conference West Division rivals and their eighth consecutive conference win.

Spring Lake Park’s Blake Remme (24) drives the lane Friday night in the Panthers' 55-47 win against the Falcons at Robbinsdale Armstrong. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Spring Lake Park’s Blake Remme (24) drives the lane Friday night in the Panthers' 55-47 win against the Falcons at Robbinsdale Armstrong. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Panthers senior forward Daydor Philips shoves his way past the Falcons' Adam Biewen in a conference showdown. The Panthers beat the Falcons 55-47. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

Panthers senior forward Daydor Philips shoves his way past the Falcons' Adam Biewen in a conference showdown. The Panthers beat the Falcons 55-47. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

When Spring Lake Park and Robbinsdale Armstrong met for the first time on Jan. 24, it was the Panthers dictating the pace as their run-and-gun style propelled them to an 87-69 win.

On Friday, it was the Falcons’ turn to control how the game went. The two teams ended up in much slower, much lower-scoring tilt.

Despite Spring Lake Park having to play more of its opponent’s style, the Panthers overcame that and did just enough as they defeated Robbinsdale Armstrong 55-47 to earn their eighth consecutive victory.

For both teams, the start lacked much of a scoring punch. With 5:40 remaining in the first half, Spring Lake Park (19-3, 8-2) held a 15-9 lead. Part of the reason for the slow start came because of fewer possessions, but it also had to do with the performances of each team’s top scorers. 

Though the Panthers, ranked No. 6 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, held a 22-20 lead at half, they had a combined six points from their senior leaders and top two scorers – Blake Remme and Gabe Myren. Both players came into Friday’s tilt averaging more than 18 points per game.

The Falcons' Hezekiah Iyawe breaks through the Panther defense on his way to the basket Friday night in the Falcons' 55-47 loss to the Panthers. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

The Falcons' Hezekiah Iyawe breaks through the Panther defense on his way to the basket Friday night in the Falcons' 55-47 loss to the Panthers. Photo by Earl J. Ebensteiner, SportsEngine

First Report

After Spring Lake Park and Robbinsdale Armstrong combined for more than 150 points in their first meeting on Jan. 24, Friday’s game was much more of a defensive showcase. 

The Panthers (19-3, 8-2) used their ability on the defensive end and some timely scoring as they bested the Northwest Suburban Conference West Division foe Falcons 55-47 at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School. 

Spring Lake Park, ranked No. 6 in Class 4A by Minnesota Basketball News, did not have its usual cast of characters leading the way offensively in the early goings. After the first half, junior guard Trey Johnston led the way with seven points while leading scorers Gabe Myren and Blake Remme had a combined six points.

In the second half, however, both Myren and Remme came alive. Remme finished with a team-best 13 while Myren poured in 10 points. The other Panther with 10 points was senior forward Daydor Philips. 

Much like its opponent, Robbinsdale Armstrong (15-5, 6-4) had to rely on less-proven scorers. The No. 8-4A Falcons leading scorer entering Friday’s game, senior guard Jake Breitbach, finished with two points in the loss.

Other Robbinsdale Armstrong players did find a scoring touch to keep Friday’s tilt close. Senior forward Hezekiah Iyawe was the leader for the offensive unit as he finished with a team-high 18 points. Senior guard Adam Biewen finished with a double-double as he scored 11 points to go along with 10 rebounds.

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