The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals (16-6) faced very strong defensive pressure from the Howard Tigers in a Region 3B “SoDak 16 Qualifying” game on Saturday, February 25th. That defensive pressure held St Mary to just 31 points as the Tigers won 57-31 to advance to the SoDak 16.
Howard got out to a 7-2 lead early in the game, but St Mary responded with five in a row to tie the game 7-7 with 5:25 to play in the first quarter. The Tigers then went on a big run the rest of the first quarter and into the second. Howard led 19-9 at the end of the first quarter and then 25-9 with 4:45 to play in the second quarter. St Mary got the lead down to single digits, 25-16, but Howard finished the half on a 5-0 run to lead 30-16 at halftime.
The defensive pressure by Howard continued to hold down the St Mary offense in the second half. The Cardinals got just eight points in the third quarter and trailed 42-24 going into the fourth quarter. The Tigers also outscored the Cardinals 15-7 in the final quarter.
St Mary shot just 22% (12-54) from the field overall, 11% (3-28) on three-point attempts, and 4-8 from the free-throw line. Howard shot 46% (19-41) overall, 25% (3-12) from three-point area, and 73% (16-22) from the free-throw line.
Madala Hanson had nine points, five rebounds, and two steals. Ella Griffin finished with eight points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Sydney Klein had six points, six rebounds, and two assists. Maya Heinitz ended with four points and two steals. Addison Libis had three points and three rebounds, and Whitney Warwick also had a point.
