The Baltic Bulldogs shot 63% from the field and from the three-point line in the second half on their way to a 76-50 win over the Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals on Friday, February 17th. The game was senior night for four Cardinal seniors – Austin Welbig, Garret Frost, Dalton Houska, and Zach Geraets.
The first quarter was back and forth. St Mary started the game on a 5-0 run, but the Bulldogs answered with a 6-0 run to take a 6-5 lead. The two teams traded baskets the remainder of the quarter, and Baltic led 13-11 at the first break. The Bulldogs outscored St Mary 19-8 in the second quarter and led 32-19 at halftime. The Cardinals were able to get the lead down to nine points with 4:00 to go in the third quarter at 39-30, but the Bulldogs closed out the third quarter on a 16-5 run to lead 55-35. Baltic then outscored the Cardinals 21-15 in the final quarter.
St Mary finished the game shooting 28% (17-61) from the field, 30% (8-27) from three-point area, and 89% (8-9) from the free-throw line. The Cardinals also had 28 total team rebounds, eight assists, and five steals.
Two players finished in double figures for St Mary. Connor Libis had 16 points and two assists. Luke Brown had 11 points. Austin Welbig had eight points and four rebounds. Zach Geraets led the team with six rebounds. Jon Wilhelmsen had 30 points for Baltic. Brock Aaker had 16 points and 14 rebounds, and Ethan Roggow had 10 points.
St Mary (8-11) will finish the regular season on Monday, February 20th, at Chester Area.