The Tigers boys basketball team hosted rival Pine City Thursday night.
The last few years this rivalry game has been fairly even, with each team grabbing one win in their two meetings during the season.
A lot of times when these two play, it's the offenses that take center stage, but this time it was a defensive battle. Turnovers were also alittle bit of an issue, when it seemed like one team was picking up some steam, a turnover would quickly even things out. The 1st half was even all throughout, neither team able to extend a lead more than 8 points. The Tigers were able to take over the lead and rebounds were a big reason why. They didn't allow the Dragons many second chance opportunities and forced them to perhaps even rush a few open shots. The Tigers shots from inside the arc were falling as smooth as silk. Pine City did make a surge right before half but the clock hindered them from getting closer, they trailed at half 27-22.
The 2nd half brought on another great defensive performance, both sides did a great job of not allowing open shots, and they both rebounded the ball well. The Tigers offense was able to find a few more shots to fall early in the 2nd half which gave them a double digit lead a couple times. Late in the half the Dragons could feel the pressure and the clock was once again working against them. A key timeout was called and this seemed to spark their offense. They quickly erased the double digit deficit they faced and were within striking distance. But foul trouble hurt their comeback attempts, as Rush City was clutch at hitting their late free throws. This would allow the Tigers to hang onto their lead and come out victorious 49-42.
The Tigers get back to .500 on the season at 2-2. They will have the next few days off before hosting Greenway on Tuesday night.
The Dragons fall to 2-2 on the season as well as conference play. They will have Friday off before returning to the court on Saturday when they host Duluth Marshall.
Scoring
Rush City:
Matthew Kempf 13
William Volk Jr 11
Lincoln Gullerud 7
Lukas Diedrich and Brayden Ertz 6
Jamison Wood 4
Pine City:
Austin Wiener 12
AJ Ostensen 11
Sawyer McDaniel and Bryer Willert 5
Eli Fromm 4
Grant Skluzacek 3
Daniel Milliman 2
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