The Luverne High School boy’s basketball team took one on the chin Tuesday night against rival Goshen, falling 65-61.

Although the Eagles raced out to an early 15-4 advantage, Luverne battled back and the game was tightly contested for the remainder of the night.

It started slow for both squads. The game was tied 2-2 for the first four minutes of the game. Exasperated with his team’s slow start, Luverne head coach Richard Dorsey pulled all five of his starters at the three minute mark of the first quarter. While the move may have sent a message to his team, it was Goshen that took advantage of the situation, racing out to a 15-4 lead. Davin Pelton knocked down a three, Mario McLeod chipped in a basket and foul shot and Derrick Foster nailed another three-point shot to extend the Eagles’ lead.

Slowly, though, Dorsey inserted his starters.

And the players responded.

The Tigers took off on a 10-point run.

Macklin Burnett and Pat Parks combined for 10 of the next 14 Tiger points. Park's bucket gave Luverne its first lead of the game midway through the second 18-17.

From there the Tigers and Eagles would trade baskets with Luverne taking the edge into the locker room 24-20.

Parks opened with a quick two-pointer, but Goshen stood tough. McLeod dropped in back-to-back scores three-pointers to tie the game a 26-26.

After Gary Franklin went 0-for-2 at the line, Dorsey again pulled his starters.

Goshen ended the third quarter on a 6-0 run and took a 45-39 lead into the fourth.

Franklin, Burnett and Hawkins combined for seven straight, with 10's three pushing the Tigers back in front, 47-45.

Fred McCollough and Foster gave Goshen the lead for good , though, with a basket and three-pointer a few seconds later.

Burnett had 10 and Parks added 14 for Luverne.

Luverne has a chance to claim the area title this Friday night at Highland Home.

Goshen 44

Luverne 43 (girls)

In varsity girl's action, the Luverne Lady Tigers dropped a close decision to the Goshen Lady Eagles, 44-43.

Luverne watched a substantial lead evaporate in the second half as Goshen battled its way back into the game on the strength of Shamketta Christian's game-high 24 points.

For Luverne, Lashara Dixon had a team-high 19 points, Jaleesa Franklin added 14 and Sharika Brantley had nine points.