The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals were able to maintain their lead throughout the game for a 60-47 opening round win over the Oldham-Ramona/Rutland Raiders in the Dakota Valley Conference Tournament in Colman on Monday, January 20th.
The Cardinals and Raiders were tied at 7-7 in the first quarter, but St Mary closed out the quarter on a 7-2 run for a 14-9 lead. The Raiders tied the game again at 14-14 early in the second quarter. St Mary responded with another run and took a 32-22 halftime lead.
The Cardinals scored the first five points of the third quarter for a 15-point lead at 37-22. St Mary had a double-digit lead throughout most of the second half. The Raiders cut the lead to nine points at 48-39 early in the fourth quarter, but that was as close as they would get.
Connor Libis had a game-high 31 points. Sam Palmer and Max Herber both finished with seven points. Weston Geraets added six points. Oldham-Ramona/Rutland was led by Brandon Trygstand with 16 points.
St Mary (7-2) will play Colman-Egan in the semifinals on Thursday, January 23rd in Colman at 7:30 p.m. The game can be seen on Big Sioux Media.