AIR ARMON ­— Blue Earth Area guard Katherine Armon (right) elevates and fires a jumper from the free throw line despite a defensive challenge by Pipestone Area’s Amyra Mahik (24) during a Big South Conference Showcase basketball game on Saturday afternoon in Blue Earth. (Photo by Greg Abel)

BLUE EARTH — Instant offense from backcourt tandem Katherine Armon and Lola Lundquist kept Blue Earth Area within striking distance of Pipestone Area during Big South Showcase basketball action Saturday afternoon.

Unfortunately for the hometown Bucs, sophomore forward Jadyn Kor countered for the Arrows by tossing in eight of her lineup’s 10 points during the final 5 minutes of regulation to preserve Pipestone Area’s 51-48 victory in Blue Earth.

In fact, Kor — who generated three assists, three steals and three blocks — converted clutch one-and-one situations with 13.9 and 2.4 seconds remaining, respectively, for the final four of her game-leading 26 points.

“They’re very young, athletic and get after it on defense,” Blue Earth Area head coach Chris Voss said in reference to Arrow starters Kor, sophomore forward Taryn Tuinstra, freshman forward Emersyn Smidt, and the eighth-grade guard duo of Kenzley Pater and Amyra Mahik.

Trailing 36-33 on the heels of Tuinstra’s left-wing runner, Lundquist snapped the nets on her game-high fourth 3-pointer to tie the game at 36-all with 7:45 left in the game.

Kor utilized her 5-foot-10 frame to bank home a drive before converting the ‘and-1′ to regain a three-point lead for Pipestone Area on the next possession.

Smidt, who finished with nine points, slashed to the basket and cashed in a Kor assist for a low-post lay-in to widen the Arrows’ gap to 41-36.

Armon, who generated a team-leading 24 points to complement eight rebounds, knocked down her third trifecta of the game to inch the Bucs within two at the 6-minute mark.

Kor matched point production from Armon and Lundquist to keep the Arrows ahead 47-44 before Armon tossed in a lane pull-up jumper to draw the Bucs within one with 28 seconds remaining.

Kor, however, displayed her mettle by converting a pair of one-and-one situations around Bucs’ post player Madelyn Ferguson’s left-elbow 15-footer to seal Pipestone Area’s win.

Lundquist finished with 16 points and three assists for Blue Earth Area (2-21), while Ferguson matched Armon by pulling down eight boards.

Pater topped all rebounders by garnering 14 caroms for the Arrows, while Tuinstra delivered 12 points and seven rebounds.

Pipestone Area (5-18) travels to Edgerton tonight to play Southwest Minnesota Christian.

Pipestone    26-25–51

B.E. Area    20-28–48

B.E. AREA (48)

Gaydon 1-5 0-0 3, Klinkner 1-2 1-2 3, Ferguson 1-2 0-0 2, Lundquist 5-18 2-2 16, Armon 8-18 5-6 24, Moore 0-1 0-0 0, Schrader 0-0 0-0 0, Klabunde 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 16-46 8-10 48.

PIPESTONE (51)

Pater 0-6 0-0 0, Kor 9-19 7-11 26, Smidt 4-11 0-0 9, Tuinstra 5-10 0-0 12, Mahik 1-8 0-0 2, Pottratz 0-2 0-0 0, Moeller 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 20-58 7-11 51.

3-pointers: Blue Earth Area 8-26 (Lundquist 4, Armon 3, Gaydon 1); Pipestone Area 4-15 (Tuinstra 2, Kor and Smidt 1 each). Fouled out: Lundquist. Rebounds: Pipestone 35 (Pater 14, Tuinstra 7); BEA 26 (Ferguson and Armon 8 each). Assists: Pipestone 8 (Kor 3); BEA 4 (Lundquist 3). Steals: Pipestone 8 (Kor 3); BEA 4.