PHOTOS: Eagles' B-Ball Team Loses to Apple Valley in Close State Semifinal

The Eden Prairie boys basketball team lost 62-55 to Apple Valley Thursday night in the Class AAAA state basketball semifinal game.

Apple Valley was the top-ranked team going into the tournament.

The game summary, according to the Minnesota State High School League:

The Eagles of Apple Valley, in their sixth appearance and first since 2009, will play for their first state title following their 62-55 win over Eden Prairie. The Eagles of Eden Prairie kept the game close throughout, with the lead changed four times and the game knotted six times. Apple Valley junior point guard Tyus Jones was limited to seven points in the first half but came on strong to add 16 more in the second half to lead all scorers in the game. Jones was also credited with six steals and five assists. Teammates Dennis Austin and Dustin Fronk also contributed 15 and 11 points, respectively, in the winning effort. Ninth-grade center Brock Bertram pulled down 13 rebounds for Apple Valley. Eden Prairie turned the ball over 18 times and Apple Valley scored 24 points as a result. Seniors Jack Cottrell and Grant Schaeffer led Eden Prairie with 15 and 12 points, respectively, aided by another 11 from junior Anthony Anderson.

Eden Prairie faced a tight first half in the quarterfinals on Wednesday but pulled ahead in the second to beat Woodbury 70-59.

Eden Prairie will now play for third place on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Concordia University against the loser of the Park Center and Edina semifinal game.