In one of the marquee match-ups at the Sacred Hoops Classic in Mitchell on Saturday, January 8th, the #3 ranked team in class B, Lower Brule, had a near perfect fourth quarter for a 67-59 win over the fifth-ranked West Central Trojans.
Lower Brule held the lead for most of the game. After a 9-9 tie with 1:45 to go in the first quarter, Lower Brule outscored West Central 7-2 for a 16-11 lead at the end of the quarter. Lower Brule maintained that lead in the second quarter. The Trojans pulled within two points, 23-21 with 3:45 to play in the half, but again Lower Brule went on a run to lead 29-23 at halftime.
Lower Brule pushed the lead to nine points in the third quarter, but the Trojans cut it down to five points, 42-37, by the end of the quarter. West Central got the lead down to three points, 47-44, with 5:20 to play, but Lower Brule went on a 7-0 run for a 54-44 lead with 4:00 to play. They were able to maintain the lead while shooting a perfect 8-8 from the field and 7-9 from the free-throw line in the quarter.
The Trojans finished the game shooting 33% (23-69) from the field, 21% (8-38) from three-point area, and 5-10 from the free-throw line. Lower Brule was 50% (27-54) from the field, 21% (4-19) from three-point area, and 9-12 from the free-throw line.
Wilson Droge had 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Grafton Stroup had 11 points and two rebounds. Dillon Jackson, who was named player of the game for the Trojans, had eight points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Braden Dierickx finished with eight points, five rebounds, and two assists. Jacob Krempges added seven points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
West Central will be at Dakota Valley on Tuesday, January 11th.