Photo taken and used with permission by Tammy Chamley
For the second game in a row the Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal boys used a second quarter rally to spark a win. The Cardinals went on a 15-0 run to start the second quarter against Lake Preston Divers to help them to a 79-56 win on Thursday, February 4th.
The game was fairly even for the other three quarters of the game. St Mary had a slim two-point lead after the first quarter at 15-13. The Cardinals, after their 15-0 run to start the second quarter, pushed the lead to 30-13. The first half ended with St Mary leading 39-21.
The Cardinals were able to extend their lead to 25 points in the third quarter at 52-27. The Divers went on a 10-0 run of their own and cut the lead to 52-37. St Mary entered the fourth quarter leading 56-38. The Cardinals maintained their lead and outscored Lake Preston 23-18 in the final quarter.
St Mary shot 42% (29-69) from the field, 32% (10-31) from three-point area, and 65% (11-17) from the free-throw line. Lake Preston was 32% (19-60) from the field, 6% (1-18) from three-point area, and 71% (17-24) from the free-throw line. The Cardinals out-rebounded the Divers 39-33 and forced 18 turnovers.
Four players finished in double figures for the Cardinals. Connor Libis had 25 points, five assists, four rebounds, and two steals. Ashaun Roach-Valandra had 15 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. John Pica had 12 points and eight rebounds, and Sam Palmer finished with 12 points, five steals, four blocks, three assists, and two rebounds.
The Cardinals (12-3) will travel to Arlington on Monday, February 8th for their next game.