The Dell Rapids Quarriers outscored Milbank 21-8 in the third quarter, and that proved to be the difference on Tuesday, December 28th. The Quarriers escaped Milbank with a 55-53 win over the Bulldogs.
The first half was a little bit of a struggle for the Quarriers in the first half. Dell Rapids shot just 23% (6-26) from the field and 27% (4-15) from three-point area in the first two quarters of play. Milbank held a 14-9 lead at the end of the first quarter and kept that five-point lead at halftime, 25-20.
The Bulldogs extended their lead to 29-22 with 5:26 left in the third quarter. That’s when Dell Rapids made a big push. The Quarriers finished the quarter on a 19-4 run to take a 41-33 lead into the fourth quarter. The lead for Dell Rapids hit double digits, 44-33, after a made three-pointer by Brayden Pankonen to start the fourth quarter. The Quarriers continued to keep the Bulldogs at bay and still held a 10-point, 49-39, lead after a free throw by Shane Stone with 4:00 to play. The Bulldogs, however, went on an 8-0 run over the next three minutes to make the score 49-47. Pankonen made two free-throws to push the lead to 51-47.
With just under a minute to play, a costly delay of game technical foul was called against Milbank. After a made free throw to make the score 51-48, a delay of game was called against the Bulldogs for hitting the ball after a made shot. It was the second one of the game resulting in a technical foul. Pankonen made both free throws to make it a five point lead, 53-48. Each team scored two points, 55-50, and then the Bulldogs were fouled on a three-point shot with :07 left. They made all three free-throws to pull within two points, 55-53. Dell Rapids was fouled, but both free-throws were missed. Milbank got the defensive rebound, but the last second shot just inside the three-point line hit the back rim and fell away no good.
Pankonen and Jack Henry both had 15 points in the game. Camden Justice finished with 10 points. Stone added seven points, and Landon Ruesink and Will Jaton both had three points each.
Dell Rapids (2-1) will play Hamlin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 31st at the Entringer Classic in Brookings.