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The Rebels coming off the Sleepy Eye Tip-Off Classic had another tough opponent on Monday, the Pipestone Arrows.
The Arrows would bring an athletic, uptempo gameplan against the Rebels that would test the Rebels defensively.
MCC would get off to a strong start as Bryce Hoekman would score the first points of the game and Rebels would string together five stops in a row. Gavin Gillette would knock down a three to put the Rebels up 5-0.
The Arrows would answer back and cut the lead to 5-2, but Hoekman would answer to put the Rebels up 7-2. After another stop, Aidan Dierks would drill a three to put the Rebels up 10-2.
The Arrows went on a 5-0 run before Dierks would connect again on a three to make the score 13-7, 4 minutes in. Then the Arrows started to heat up and the Rebels would go a bit cold. Transition defense, closeouts, and finishing possessions with defensive rebounds would all add up to a big run for Pipestone going into the break.
But the Rebels did get a big energy boost from Carson Engelkes, who delivered on the rare 4-point play. Engelkes wasn’t in more then a minute before he completed the play. The Rebels went into the half down 43-29.
The second half would start with a 5-0 run for the Arrows, exactly what the Rebels didn’t need, but a couple good looks wouldn’t fall for the Rebels and the Arrows kept the pedal to the medal in transition and their attack and kick style of offense would find open shooters from beyond the arc.
Six minutes into the half the lead ballooned to 60-35. The Rebels would try and take away the three, then the Arrows would counter with an athletic attack to the basket. Rebels would play for the attack and the Arrows would knock down threes and chase down long rebounds. The Rebels wouldn’t quit playing though, down 25 they started to play even basketball and then winning basketball. It wasn’t the prettiest for either team as both squads would have their share of turnovers in the next couple minutes, but the Rebels would go on a 9-0 run. Bringing the score to 60-44.
Pipestone would answer with two baskets in a row, one jumper and one transition basket before Aidan Dierks would earn a trip to the foul line, being fouled on a pull up jumper from about 17 feet from the basket. He would make one of two before Pipestone would drill another three, putting them up 67-45.
The Rebels wouldn’t go away, Gavin Gillette would attack the basket and kiss one off the glass for two, Dierks would hit a tough floater in the lane and the Rebels were back within 18. The Arrows would trade a 2 for a Dierks three and the Rebels would follow that with another, Gavin Gillette attack to bring the score to 69-45. Every time MCC would make a run, the Arrows would answer with a three. In the end, after two Max Miller threes to end the game the Rebels would fall 77-62.
Points Leaders: Bryce Hoekman, 18, Aidan Dierks, 16, Gavin Gillette, 9 Rebound Leaders: Bryce Hoekam, 9, Ross Engelkes, 6, Aidan Dierks, 4 Assists Leaders: Hudson Schryvers, 3 Steals Leaders: Hudson Schryvers, 2
