The MCC Rebel Boys Basketball team was in Marshall at the RA Facility on the campus of Southwest MInnesota State University to take on the Minneota Vikings. These two teams have matched up in Marshall the past several years with a wide variety of results. Most games have been competitive, but like many holiday events, the level of play has wavered from time to time. Saturday was a physical match-up that was played well overall and a lot of fun for the fans, as the Rebels picked up their fourth win of the season.
The Vikings have been a streaky team this year that has thrived when their three-point shot is falling but they have struggled when it has not. The Vikings made 15 three-point shots in a win over Canby and they knocked them down Saturday. The Vikings made five three’s in the first half led by Leo Hennen who made two and scored 8 first half points. Jase Sorensen made one three but led the team with nine points at the half. The Rebels pounded the ball into the low post and Aidan Swenson dominated the game with a season high in scoring. He finished the first half with 19 points. Tayden Beerman, in for the Rebels, hit a pair of three-point shots as the Rebels led at the halftime break, 34 to 31, in a very competitive first half.
The second half saw both teams hold leads early on, with Minneota scoring first and taking a small lead. The Vikings were getting most of their points at the three-point line while the Rebels attacked the basket.
Swenson had a great first half but he slowed down in the second and that allowed Tristan Behrends and Dugan Kluis to drive. The duo not only scored at the rim, but they drew fouls that got them to the charity stripe, where the Rebels have struggled this season. On Saturday, the Rebels missed four free throws in the entire game. Kluis made 8 in a row in the second half while Behrends made 4 in the second half. Cayden Veldhuisen hit two three-point shots in the second half as the Rebels built a two possession game. The Rebels matched a season high in points scored as they beat Minneota 71 to 65.
The Rebels shot 42% from the field on 23 of 55 shooting while the Vikings shot 35% on 23 of 65 shooting. Minneota made an impressive 11 three’s on 29 attempts while the Rebels made just 4 of 15. The difference came at the free throw line where the Rebels made 21 of 25 free throws and the Vikings made 8 of 15. Aidan Swenson led the Rebels with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Dugan Kluis and Tristan Behrends scored 12 points each. Behrends finished with 8 rebounds and Kluis grabbed 6, Leo Hennen led the Vikings with 20 points and 6 made three’s.
