The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal boys basketball team earned a signature win early in the season on Monday, December 18th. The Cardinals took down the #1 ranked De Smet Bulldogs 60-56 in front of the Cardinal home crowd.
The game featured a couple of different spurts by both teams. The Bulldogs started the game on an 8-2 run, but the Cardinals responded with a 14-0 run to take a 16-8 lead. St Mary ended the first quarter leading 18-10. De Smet cut the lead in half in the second quarter and trailed 29-25 at halftime.
The Cardinals were able to extend their lead back to eight points, 40-32, with 4:15 to play in the third quarter. The Bulldogs then went on a 13-3 run over the next three minutes to take a 45-43 lead. The third quarter ended with that same 45-43 score in favor of De Smet. The score was tied 48-48 with 6:00 to play in the game. St Mary went on a run and led 56-50 with 2:30 remaining. De Smet got within three a couple of times, but the Cardinals made enough free throws down the stretch to get the upset win.
The Cardinals were 46% (21-46) shooting overall, 30% (6-20) from three-point area, and 67% (12-18) from the free-throw line. The Bulldogs shot 35% (21-60) from the field overall, but just 29% (9-31) from three-point area, and 5-8 from the free-throw line.
Trevon Beckman finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Maverick LeBrun added 18 points and five rebounds. Nic Gaspar had seven points and seven rebounds. Trimmier Hanson had six points, three rebounds, and three assists. Owen Vargas also had six points with three rebounds.
