The Tri-Valley Mustangs rallied from a five-point deficit in the final three minutes of the game for a 52-49 win against Sisseton on Saturday, December 11th.
The Mustangs held the lead for all of the first half. Tri-Valley built a seven-point lead at 17-10 after the first quarter. Sisseton cut the lead down to four points, 26-22, by halftime. Sisseton completed their comeback in the third quarter as the game was tied 36-36 going into the fourth quarter. They then took the lead fifteen seconds into the fourth quarter. Sisseton pushed their lead to 49-44 with 2:45 to go in the game, but the Mustangs scored the final eight points of the game for the win.
Tri-Valley finished the game shooting 34% (20-58) from the field and 26% (5-19) from the three-point area. Sisseton shot 32% (20-62) from the field and 29% (9-31) from three-point area. The Mustangs held a slim 39-31 rebounding edge, and both teams committed 20 turnovers. The difference in the game was from the free-throw line. Tri-Valley was 7-17 from the free-throw line, while Sisseton never took a free throw.
Three players finished in double-figures for the Mustangs. Noah Haynes had 15 points and seven rebounds. Connor Christensn had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Cory McDonald also had 10 points along with seven rebounds and five steals. Lance DeWitt added seven points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Tri-Valley (1-0) will be in Madison to play against the Bulldogs on Tuesday, December 14th.