The Dell Rapids Quarriers were two minutes and six points away from having a running clock on them in the second half at home on Thursday, January 20th. The Madison Bulldogs had a 15-0 run in the first quarter and led 23-8 at the break. They started the second quarter on an 8-0 run and extended their lead 35-11 with 2:00 to play in the half. The Quarriers were able to end the half on an 8-2 run to make the score 37-19. That little run sparked the Quarrier comeback.
Dell Rapids returned to the court with a new energy in the second half. The Quarriers got the lead down to 46-32 with 2:15 to play in the third quarter. They then finished the quarter on an 8-2 run to cut the deficit to 48-40 heading into the fourth quarter. Halfway through the fourth quarter, Madison led 55-49. Just a minute later, the game was tied 56-56 with 2:54 to play in regulation. Camden Justice gave Dell Rapids their first lead since early in the first quarter with a layup with :52 on the clock. Madison tied the game 58-58 on their next possession. Neither team scored on their final possession, and the game headed to overtime.
The Bulldogs made the first basket just twenty seconds into overtime. The score remained 60-58 in favor of the Bulldogs for almost three minutes. Jack Henry made a breakaway layup with :49 to tie the game. Moments later Henry made a steal and threw down a dunk to give Dell Rapids a 62-60 lead with :28 to go. After a missed shot by the Bulldogs, Landon Ruesink was fouled after the rebound. He sank both free throws to put the game out of reach. Aiden Boechler added one more free throw, and Dell Rapids won 65-60.
Dell Rapids shot 41% (21-51) from the field, 41% (9-21) on three pointers, and 52% (14-27) from the free-throw line. After a strong first half, Madison finished 40% (25-62) shooting, 11% (2-18) from three-point area, and 53% (8-15) from the free-throw line.
Henry finished with 20 points, three rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Ruesink had 18 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Justice had 14 points, all in the second half, and five rebounds. Brayden Pankonen added 11 points, six rebounds, four steals, and two assists. Boechler had two points and four rebounds, and Shane Stone had six rebounds.
The Quarriers improve to 7-2 on the season. They will travel to Elk Point on Saturday, January 22nd.