Playing in back-to-back days, the Dell Rapids Quarriers fell to the Madison Bulldogs 77-68 in the final game of the Dak-12 Conference Classic at the Sanford Coyote Sports Complex in Vermillion on Saturday, February 4th. The win for Madison gave the Bulldogs the Dak-12 Conference Classic championship, ending a two-year title run by Dell Rapids.
Madison had a quick start to the game getting out to an early 7-2 lead. The Bulldogs used that run to take a 21-13 first quarter lead. Dell Rapids made a late run in the second quarter to pull within two points, but Jadon Janke knocked down a three-point bucket to end the second quarter and give Madison a 36-31 halftime lead. Madison was able to maintain a 7-to-10 point lead in the third quarter and led 54-47 at the break. Dell Rapids made a run in the fourth quarter and took a 61-58 lead with 4:45 to go in the game. But in a matter of :30, Riley Janke made two three point baskets for Madison to give them the lead back at 64-63 with 4:15 to go. It was a lead they would not lose the remainder of the game as Madison closed out the game on a 13-5 run.
Dell Rapids finished the night shooting 58% (26-45) from the field, 50% (8-16) from three-point area, and 47% (8-17) from the free-throw line. The Quarriers also had 33 team rebounds, 13 team assists, and turned the ball over 14 times.
Mason Schmidt finished the game with a team-high 18 points along with four rebounds. Sheldon Siemonsma had 15 points along with nine rebounds and four blocked shots. Mason Peter added 10 points. Carson Rentz had a team-high four assists in the game.
The Quarriers (11-4) will host Mt Vernon/Plankinton on Tuesday, February 7th as part of a girls and boys double-header. Both games can be seen on Big Sioux Media.