The Baltic Bulldogs traveled to Dell Rapids for a Region 3A matchup with the Quarriers on Monday, December 16th. The Quarriers grabbed the lead in the first quarter and took the win 50-38.
The Bulldogs led by three points, 8-5, with 5:40 to play in the opening quarter. Dell Rapids finished the quarter on an 11-5 run for a 16-13 lead. The Quarriers outscored Baltic 12-4 in the second quarter for a 28-17 halftime lead.
Dell Rapids opened the second half on an 8-0 run to increase the lead to 36-17 with 6:00 to play in the third quarter. The Quarriers led 40-25 with 2:00 left, but Baltic finished the third quarter on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 40-30. The Bulldogs then scored the first two points of the fourth quarter to get the lead down to single digits, 40-32, with 6:00 to go. Dell Rapids, however, held Baltic to just six more points in the quarter to hold for the win.
Baltic shot 32% (13-41) overall, 35% (6-17) from three-point area, and 6-6 from the free-throw line. Dell Rapids finished the game shooting 42% (20-48) overall, 29% (5-17) on three-point shots, and 5-9 from the free-throw line. The Bulldogs turned the ball over 22 times in the game.
Dylan Runestad finished with 17 points. Ben Erickson had nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Trevor Cuperus had eight points and eight rebounds. Kellen Artz added four points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
