The McCook Central/Montrose Fighting Cougars rode a 17-0 run in the fourth quarter to a 54-43 win over the Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinals on Saturday, February 3rd in Salem.
The two teams went back-and-forth throughout the first quarter. The Fighting Cougars held a slim 18-16 lead at the first quarter break. The Cardinals were held down offensively in the second quarter. McCook Central/Montrose held St Mary to just six points and built a 32-22 lead by halftime. The Cardinals were able to make the necessary adjustments in the locker room and opened the third quarter on a 12-1 run to take a 34-33 lead. The Cardinals grew that lead to 41-35 by the end of the third quarter. St Mary led 43-37 with 3:56 to play in the game, but that’s when the Fighting Cougars closed out the game on the 17-0 run for the win.
St Mary finished the night shooting 28% from the field, 24% from three-point area, and 60% from the free-throw line. The Cardinals had a total of 32 team rebounds, six steals, and turned the ball over 10 times.
Luke Brown finished the night with 17 points, three rebounds, and an assist. Connor Libis added 12 points, seven rebounds, and an assist. West Geraets had six points and six rebounds, and Max Herber finished with four points and three rebounds.
St Mary (8-7) will host Centerville on Tuesday, February 6th. The game can be seen on Big Sioux Media.