(From IHSAA) DES MOINES – A state title is finally going back to Glenwood. In one of the most thrilling, noisy, and up-tempo championship games of the last decade, the Rams (25-2) escaped fellow first-time finalist Oskaloosa for a 66-62 win on Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena.

A massive crowd took in the back-and-forth contest, as the lead changed 13 times and score was level 11 times before Glenwood had claimed their final advantage and made two late free throws to clinch the title. Oskaloosa and Glenwood were tied at halftime (38-38) and after the third quarter (51-51), so a tense finish felt right, and a flow of dunks, 3-pointers, and standout effort delivered.

Oskaloosa was led by Jarad Kruse’s 21 points, while Cole Henry added 16, and star sophomore Xavier Foster finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots in defeat. Oskaloosa’s seven previous visits to state never included a final, and four were from 1923-30. Coach Ryan Parker’s squad stood up to the environment, shooting a scorching 82 percent in the first quarter and 68 percent for the first half. They cooled after intermission, but still hit eight 3-pointers and had several rim-rattling finishes by Henry and Foster.

Glenwood’s win completed a program turnaround, as coach Curt Schulte brought a freshman class that appeared in Des Moines in 2015 full circle to Friday’s championship. Andrew Blum hit four 3-pointers and recorded a game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds to earn All-Tournament Team captain honors. Christian Stanislav, Nate Mohr, and his freshman brother Ryan Blum all finished in double-digits scoring, too. After being down 20 points to Norwalk in Tuesday’s quarterfinals, raising up a title trophy was sweet for a group that raised their program and community on Friday.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Nate Mohr, Glenwood

Jarad Kruse, Oskaloosa

Matthew Mims, Xavier, Cedar Rapids

Xavier Foster, Oskaloosa

Andrew Blum, Glenwood (captain)