On the second day of the Big East Conference Tournament in Flandreau on Friday, January 5th, the Beresford Watchdogs fell to the McCook Central/Montrose Fighting Cougars 47-45.
The two teams played to a 9-9 tie by the end of the first quarter. The Watchdogs outscored the Fighting Cougars 13-8 in the second quarter for a 22-17 halftime lead. McCook Central/Montrose got two points back in the third quarter, and Beresford led 30-27 going into the fourth quarter.
The Fighting Cougars started the fourth quarter on a 9-3 run to take a 36-33 lead. The game was tied 40-40 with :47.6 to go in the game. McCook Central/Montrose got five straight points, three from the free-throw line and one field goal, to go ahead 45-40 with :05.4 to go. After a Watchdog basket, the Fighting Cougars made two more free-throws. Jon DeLay hit a shot near half court at the buzzer for the final three points of the game.
Andrew Atwood had 14 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Malachi James finished with 10 points and four rebounds. Aidan Hamm added nine points, three rebounds, and two steals. DeLay ended with seven points and three rebounds.
