The Dell Rapids Quarriers had to climb out of a double-digit first quarter deficit, only to see the Lennox Orioles pull away in the final minutes for a 63-58 win in the opening round of the 2017 Girls State A Tournament in Brookings over the Quarriers. The loss snapped a 14-game winning streak. Lennox was also the last team to beat Dell Rapids.
Lennox had an 8-6 lead early in the first quarter, and then went on 12-2 run for a 20-8 lead late in the first quarter. The Quarriers were able to cut the lead to 10 points at 23-13 at the end of the first quarter. The Dell Rapids defense then held Lennox to just 10 second quarter points, while the offense found a little groove. Dell Rapids was able to cut the to 33-29 by halftime. The Quarriers brought the defensive intensity into the third quarter and was able to take a three point lead with 1:44 to go in the third quarter, but the third quarter ended with the score tied at 44-44. With 4:31 to go in the game, Emma Paul put the Quarriers ahead 52-50 on a two-point bucket, but Lennox when on an 8-0 run and led 58-52 late in the game. Paul knocked down a three point shot with just under a minute to play to cut the lead to 58-55. After three made Oriole free throws over the next :30, Ravyn Hoffman then made a three-point shot with :35 to go to make it 61-58. Lennox closed out the game with two more free throws for the win.
Dell Rapids finished the game shooting 41% (21-51) from the field, 42% (8-19) from three-point area, but just 47% (8-17) from the free-throw line. The Quarriers had 35 team rebounds, 14 assists, and 13 turnovers. Lennox finished the game shooting 39% (18-46) from the field, 42% (8-19) from three-point line, and an impressive 83% (19-23) from the free-throw line. Lennox also had 31 team rebounds, just six assists, and eight steals.
Jayda Knuppe finished the game with 19 points for Dell Rapids along with seven rebounds. Emma Paul had 17 points and four rebounds. Kaylee Hennen had five points. Averi Pankonen added four points. Kali Graham, Arial Hoffman, R. Hoffman, and Sydney Stofferahn all had three points each. Aspen Hansen had one point, bug five rebounds and three assists.
Dell Rapids (18-5) will play Hamlin at 1:45 p.m. on Friday.