skip navigation

Knights Hold Off Late Surge by Battlers

By Craig Olson, 12/06/18, 11:30PM CST

Share

The West Central Area Knights built a 50-38 lead with five minutes to go and sealed the win hitting their last eight free throws to withstand four late Battler 3-pointers making the final 58-50 on Thursday night in Battle Lake. 

The Knights did not attempt a free throw in the first half and hit 18-22 free throws in the second half.  Knight Coach Kraig Hunter said, "The Battlers played a very scrappy defense and we were in too much of a hurry at times and let them hang around in the first half.  We became more patient in the second half, got better shots, got to the line more to build a nice lead and then finished things off at the end when they started to foul." 

Jack VanKempen was a perfect 10-10 from the line.  VanKempen had a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 blocked shots, and 2 assists.

The Knights had very balanced scoring for the second straight game.  They were led by Grant Beuckens with 17, VanKempen 10, Gage Staples 9, Teigen Moritz 7, Gavin Paulson 6, Jacob Bright 6, and Tate Christenson 3. 

Staples added 7 rebounds, Moritz 6 and Paulson 4.  Bright led the team in assists with 4.  Beuckens and Paulson each recorded 3 steals. 

The Knights shot 44% from the field (17-38) including 6-16 threes.  The Battlers shot 20-59 for 33% including 6-26 threes.  They made 4-10 free throws. 

Although the scrappy Battlers came up with 10 offensive rebounds, the Knights won the overall rebounding battle 38-27.  The Knights had 19 turnovers to 14 for Battle Lake.

Brady Scholten led the Batters with 11 points.