REBEL BOYS BASKETBALL VS PIPESTONE

MCC would take a two game win streak in the battle against the Arrows. A competitive, physical battle it was as both teams played streaky on offense and tough on defense the entire night.

MCC got off to a blazing hot start, jumping out to a 17-2 lead. Aidan Swenson scored the first bucket off a Dylan Kluis baseline attack and dish. The Rebels defense was swarming early on, getting deflections, contesting shots, forcing tough passes, and taking charges. The energy and enthusiasm was evident. MCC earned one in the first minutes, as the Arrows drew a shooting foul and knock down both free throws.

Hudson Schyrvers knocked down 5 straight for the Rebels, knocking down a three and a soft floater in the middle of the lane before Aidan Swenson would gobble up an offensive rebound and score his third and fourth points of the game. At the 13 minute mark it was 9-2, MCC.

Swenson delivered on another offensive rebound and put back on the next possession before Hudson Schryvers got the gym fired up, taking a big charge, energizing the team and the crowd.

Swenson followed this up with a mid range jump shot that hit nothing but net pushing the lead to 13-2 with under twelve minutes to go. After a turnover by the Rebels, Max Miller delivered and took charge of his own, getting possession back for MCC.

The two teams traded stops on defense before the Rebels struck again. This time, Aidan Swenson attacked from the left elbow to the right block and hit the mid range jumper. At the 9:07 mark, MCC was up 15-2. MCC scored one more time before they cooled off, as Dylan Kluis made a tough fade away from the paint.

With under 8 minutes to play, MCC held a 15 point lead, Unfortunately it would all evaporate before the half. Fouls started to add up against the Rebels, putting Pipestone on the foul line. They connected on 7 free throws in the first half, allowing the Arrows to climb back in the game with the clock stopped.

On the offensive end, the Rebels found some high percentage shots and sprinkled in some forced, early shot clock shots, but unfortunately neither dropped for the next several minutes. Little by little, Pipestone crawled back into the game. By the 1:46 mark, MCC held a slim 21-20 lead and the Arrows ended the half with a 23-21 lead into halftime. They connected on an and-one to earn the two point lead.

The second half was more of the same as a game of runs ensued, with defense keeping both teams within striking distance. Both teams traded stops on defense before MCC could tie the game at 23. Pipestone followed it with one of four Mahki Winter 3’s in the second half. Gavin Gillette immediately answered back with a tough bucket of his own. With 15:21 left, Pipestone was up one, 26-25. Winter drilled another three on Pipestone’s next possession which ignited an Arrow run.

Pipestone imposed some physicality on the Rebels pushing their lead to 5, then 7, then 9 by the 11 minute mark. Pipestone earned a 16 point lead with under 7 minutes to go at 47-31. MCC was getting some solid looks, but the ball just would not go through the hoop. One time that a three did drop through, it unfortunately bounced up and hit the shot clock, negating the bucket. But they were not done competing yet.

MCC started chipping away at the lead. 15, 13, a Max Miller three brought it to 10 with 3:45 to go. Aidan Swenson earned three the hard way, knocking down a bucket from the block and earning a foul. 52-45 with just under three minutes to go.

MCC got another stop on defense and set up a play for Miller who had a great look at it, just missed, but Aidan Swenson hustled after an offensive rebound, found Gavin Gillette on the reset shot clock, who would knock down the 15 foot turnaround jumper. 5 point game with 2:10 to play.

The Rebels earned another defensive stop, but couldn’t connect on the offensive end. With just over a minute to play the Arrows would have the ball back. The defense stepped up again, this time forcing the Arrows into a shot clock violation.

MCC would not score again and the Arrows hit two free throws with 12 seconds remaining to earn the hard fought 54-47 win.

Leading scorers: Aidan Swenson, 21. Gavin Gillette, 13 Leading Rebounders: Aidan Swenson, 9. Carson Engelkes, 7. Gavin Gillette, 5 Leading Assists: Hudson Schryvers and Dylan Kluis, 2 each Leading Steals: Max Miller and Carson Engelkes, 2 each MCC shooting %, 38 (20-53) Pipestones shooting %, 35 (18-51) MCC 3point %, 19 (3-16) Pipestone 3point %, 47 (7-15) MCC FT%, 36 (4-11) Pipestone FT%, 58 (11-19)