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Castillo found Brodhagen open underneath the basket. The junior made the most of the opportunity, fighting through some late contact to sink the layup and once again tying the game. While the following free throw was missed, Totzke was able to come up with the rebound and put it back in to give his team their first lead of the game.

Assumption tied the game back up at 49-49 with three minutes left, but Blake Bargender had the Falcons’ answer on the following possession, connecting on a clutch three-point shot to put Abbotsford back on top. Late game free throw shooting would come to haunt Abbotsford in the game’s final stretch, however.

In need of some quick offense, the Royals turned to JT Schlaefer, who delivered on a pair of free throws and a short-range field goal to give Assumption the lead. The visitors connected on five of their eight free throw attempts in the last three minutes, giving them the slight edge they needed to put away the Falcons. Meanwhile, Abbotsford missed eight of their final nine shots from the free throw line down the stretch.

Totzke recorded a double-double in the loss, putting up 18 points while shooting 7-of-10 from the field and bringing down 10 rebounds for the Falcons. Brodhagen had 16 points, making six of his eight shot attempts and recording two steals, Bargender had seven points, five rebounds and two steals and Bunkelman put up four points. Irvin Aguilera and Noah Schraufnagel finished with three points each, with Aguilera also adding three assists, and Castillo rounded out the scoring with two points. He also had three assists.

The loss dropped Abbotsford to 3-18 on the year with three games left. All three of their opponents are Marawood-North foes, with a trip to Phillips first up on the list. The last time the two teams squared off, the Loggers were able to take control in the first half, shooting 50 percent from beyond the three-point line and cruising to a 74-45 victory. Abbotsford will be looking to return the favor on Friday, Feb. 16, with the rematch schedule to begin at 7:15 p.m.

STARTING A RALLY - Noah Schraufnagel gets his team back on track with a first period basket.

STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD