A last-second three-point shot for Sioux Valley hit off the front of the rim and fell away no good, and the Baltic Bulldog boys held off the Cossacks at home for a 64-61 victory on Thursday, December 18th to remain unbeaten on the year.
The game was close between the two teams throughout the contest. The first quarter ended with the Bulldogs holding a 12-11 tie. The Cossacks would outscore Baltic 15-14 in the second quarter, and the teams were tied 26-26 going into halftime.
Baltic opened the second half with a 7-0 run to take a 33-26 lead, one of the largest of the night, with 6:20 to play in the quarter. Sioux Valley was able to trim the lead down to four points, 46-42, by quarter’s end. The Cossacks would then score the first four points of the fourth quarter to tie the score 46-46. The Bulldogs responded with an 8-0 run to take a 54-46 lead with 5:00 to go in the game. That spurt was enough to keep Baltic in front the rest of the game. They would make enough free throws down the stretch to put the pressure on the Cossacks.
The Bulldogs shot 48.8% (20-41) overall in the game, 29.4% (5-17) from three-point area, and 79.2% (19-24) from the free-throw line. Sioux Valley finished the game shooting 39.3% (22-56) overall, 22.7% (5-22) on three-point attempts, and 92.3% (12-13) from the free-throw line.
Kellen Artz had a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds with five assists. Dylan Runestand had 15 points and six rebounds. Cooper Garry added 13 points and three steals.
