North Star beats Grafton again at state 63-58

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Jacob Hagler dominated down the stretch as defending state champion North Star defeated Grafton 63-58 in a first-round rematch of last year's title game at the Class B boys' basketball tournament.

The last time teams from the previous year's title game met in the first round the following season was 1992.

Hagler was 10-for-10 from the line and finished with 23 points and eight rebounds for the Bearcats (25-0), who have won 52 straight games.

Hagler put North Star on top to stay 59-58 with two free throws with 1:22 remaining. He added the final four points of the game on free throws. The Bearcats were 17-for-19 from the line.

Daniel Grande chipped in 24 points.

Grafton (22-3) got 28 points from Jake Hanson and 20 from Adam Jiskra.

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