The Dell Rapids Quarrier boys needed overtime, but they got a 65-61 victory over the Vermillion Tanagers at home on Thursday, January 25th.
Dell Rapids held a three-point lead, 17-14, by the end of the first quarter. They increased that lead to 36-28 by halftime. Vermillion still trailed by seven, 44-37, with 2:00 to play in the third quarter, but they got the lead down to five points, 44-39, going into the fourth quarter.
The Quarriers maintained a three-to-five point lead through the first half of the fourth quarter. They led 51-46 with 4:20 to play in the game. The lead extended to six points, 55-49, with 2:30 left to go. Vermillion went on a 7-0 run and took the lead 56-55 with a made three-point shot with :38 remaining. Rhett Kloth tied the game, 56-56, from the free-throw line with :23 on the clock. The Tanagers were able to get a last second shot, but it was just short, and the game went to overtime.
Dell Rapids scored the first two points of overtime two minutes and fifteen seconds into the extra period. Cole Ruesink put Dell Rapids ahead 60-56 with 1:31 to go. Vermillion pulled within a point, 62-61, with :14.5 left on the clock, but Dell Rapids secured the win by making three-of-four free throws in the final seconds.
Jack Henry finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, four blocked shots, and three steals. Kloth had 13 points and 10 rebounds. Tad Tjaden also had 13 points with four rebounds and three steals. Treyse Eastman had 10 points and three rebounds. Ruesink finished with seven points, six rebounds, and four assists.
