Photo taken and used with permission by Sara Stadem
The Tri-Valley Mustangs led by nine points, 53-44, after a three-point basket by Brayden Oyen with 1:50 to play. The Baltic Bulldogs made a 8-1 run and pulled within two points, 54-52, with only :22 to go, but the Mustangs held for a 55-52 win on Monday, February 21st.
Tri-Valley was firing on all cylinders in the first quarter. They put themselves in front by 13 points, 20-7, by the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs tied the game with a 13-0 run to start the second quarter. The Mustangs recovered and led 28-23 at halftime.
Baltic made another run in the third quarter and eventually took the lead, 35-34, with 2:05 to play in the quarter. The teams traded baskets back-and-forth, and Tri-Valley held a 38-37 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Mustangs went ahead 50-42 with 2:45 to go in the game. After a made basket by the Bulldogs, Oyen hit a three pointer to give Tri-Valley a 53-44 lead with 1:50 to go. Baltic then went on their 8-1 to cut the lead to 54-52 with :22 left. The Bulldogs forced a five-second call and got the ball back. Tri-Valley’s defense was able to hold as the Bulldogs missed a game-tying shot. Cory McDonald grabbed the rebound with :02 on the clock and then made one of two free throws to seal the win.
The Mustangs shot 43% (21-49) from the field, 31% (4-13) from three-point area, and 47% (9-19) from the free-throw line. Baltic finished 42% (20-48) overall, 41% (7-17) from three-point area, and 5-10 from the free-throw line.
McDonald finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists. Lance DeWitt had 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Connor Christensen added seven points, seven rebounds, and five blocked shots. Noah Haynes had six points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Cole Focken had five points.
Tri-Valley (5-14) will finish the regular season on the road at Sioux Falls Christian on Friday, February 25th.