The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal girls tried to rally in the second half, but the Hills-Beaver Creek Patriots held off the Cardinals for a 59-52 win on Tuesday, December 30th in Hills, MN
Playing two 18-minute halves, which is what Minnesota schools play at home, the Cardinals took an early 3-2 lead with 15:00 to go. The game was tied 5-5 and again 8-8. St Mary’s went ahead 14-10 with 8:45 to go in the first half. They pushed their lead to a game-high six points, 20-14, with 4:00 to play. The Patriots would end the first half on a 6-0 run, and the game was tied 20-20 at halftime.
Hills-Beaver Creek started the second half on an 8-2 run for a 28-22 advantage with 14:00 to play in the game. They continued to lead by five points, 32-27, with 11:15 to go. Their lead would grow to double digits, 39-29, just two minutes later. The Cardinals went on a 6-0 run to get within four points, 39-35. St Mary’s were within three points, 45-42, with 5:30 remaining, but that was as close as they could get. The Cardinals trailed 56-52 with :45 to go, but the Patriots made enough free throws the rest of the game to hold for the win.
