In a close battle all game long, the Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals used a fourth quarter rally to defeat the Castlewood Warriors 56-50 on Tuesday, January 18th.
Neither team was able to get a large lead in the game. St Mary held the advantage after the first quarter, 15-14. The first half ended with the two teams tied 28-28. The Warriors held a four-point lead late in the third quarter, but John Pica made a three-pointer at the end of the quarter to cut the lead to 43-42. Pica then made another three-pointer to start the fourth quarter to give the Cardinals a slim two-point lead. The Warriors tied the game 47-47 with 6:20 to play. St Mary then went on a 5-2 run over the next three minutes for a 52-49 lead. St Mary continued to lead 52-50 with 1:07 to go. After Castlewood was unable to tie the game, the Cardinals made a layup and then two free-throws in the closing seconds for the win.
The Cardinals finished the game 48% (20-42) shooting, 6-10 from three-point area, and 53% (10-19) from the free-throw line. The Warriors shot 40% (21-53) in the game, 24% (5-21) from three-point area, and 38% (3-8) from the free-throw line.
Nic Gaspar had the hot hand all game long finishing with 24 points and four rebounds. Pica had a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Dylan Mathis added 11 points and six rebounds. CJ Smith had eight points, four rebounds, and two assists.
St Mary (7-3) will play Mt Vernon/Plankinton in the DVC Classic in Elkton at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 22nd.