The nation's longest current basketball winning streak ended unexpectedly at 72 games when
Twin Falls (Idaho) stunned three-time defending state champion
Middleton (Idaho) 42-36 in the Class 4A state quarterfinals.
Middleton had beaten Twin Falls 56-46 on Dec. 28.
The losing Vikings made 18 turnovers and shot just 7-of-18 from the free throw line, but were hurt even more by a second-quarter knee injury to
Maya Ah You, who was averaging 14.4 points and had scored 20 during the earlier victory over Twin Falls.
Middleton coach Andy Jones told the Idaho Statesman, "I don't think it was the streak of 72 that got to them. I think it was the streak of three (straight state titles). That pressure probably got to us a bit."
Twin Falls, which got off to a quick 7-0 lead, was led by Mikayla Harris with nine points and 10 rebounds and by Maddie Watkins with nine points off the bench. Junior
D'rae Tullock paced Middleton with 12 points and 13 rebounds.