Photo taken and used with permission by Tammy Chamley
Bridgewater-Emery defeated Dell Rapids St Mary for the second time in five days, however, this time it ended the Cardinal season. The #7 seed Huskies beat the #2 seed Cardinals 61-47 in the second round of the Region 4B tournament on Tuesday, March 1st at Dell Rapids St Mary High School.
In a hot, packed gym, the Cardinals got out to a fast start. St Mary led 12-2 with 2:15 to play in the opening quarter. The Cardinals finished the first quarter with a 14-7 lead. Things then got quiet for the St Mary offense in the middle two quarters. The Huskies held St Mary to just four points in the second quarter, which allowed them to build a 24-18 halftime lead.
The third quarter was a defensive battle. The two teams combined for just 17 total points. Bridgewater-Emery still held a 32-27 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Huskies took advantage of 23 trips to the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, converting on 19 of them. The difference at the free-throw line proved to be the biggest factor in the game as the Huskies took the win.
The Cardinals shot 33% (17-52) overall, 22% (5-23) from three-point area, and 8-9 from the free-throw line. Bridgewater-Emery was 40% (18-45) from the field, 33% (4-12) from three-point area, and 81% (21-26) from the free-throw line. The 13 more made free throws was the biggest stat difference in the game.
Dylan Mathis finished with 19 points and nine rebounds. Nic Gaspar had 13 points and four rebounds. John Pica added seven points, four rebounds, and two assists. Ty Brown had four points, two rebounds, and five assists. CJ Smith also had four points along with five rebounds.
St Mary’s season ends with an overall record of 15-6.