Pine River-Backus Tigers (Pine River, MN) backers were in high spirits Thursday as they witnessed their basketball squad thwart the host Staples-Motley Cardinals (Staples, MN), 79-65 in a non-league bout.

With the win, Pine River-Backus upgrades its record to 3-7 on the season. The Tigers host Verndale (Verndale, MN) to play the Pirates in a A Section 5 bout on Friday, December 22. The Pirates go into the bout with a record of 7-1. Verndale won 64-34 in their recent non-league bout against Pillager (Pillager, MN)

Next up, the Cardinals play the Pillager Huskies (Pillager, MN) in a AA Section 7 bout, on Friday, December 22. Staples-Motley will attempt to upgrade on its 2-5 season record. The Huskies go into the bout with a 2-4 record after their 64-34 non-league loss to Verndale (Verndale, MN).