Dawgs Defeated by Cavaliers in Final Regular Season Game

The Milbank Bulldogs were defeated by the Aberdeen Roncalli Cavaliers, 53-58, in their final regular season game on Friday, February 26, at the Milbank Armory. The loss moved Milbank’s season record to 10-10.

“I liked how our boys competed through adversity and battled to the final whistle, giving us a chance,” stated Milbank’s head coach Logan Diede. “I thought we defended well for the majority of the game. Roncalli simply got hot from outside for a stretch that really changed the tide of the game. That can happen in basketball. I am excited for region play.”

Milbank started out hot and led 14-7 after the opening quarter. The teams were dead even in the second period, thus the Bulldogs remained on top at 29-22 at the midway mark. Roncalli took over in the second half. The Cavaliers managed to cut the deficit to one point at 38-37 heading into the final stanza, and then rattled off 21 points to take the 58-53 victory.

Three Bulldogs scored in double figures. Carter Hartman led the way with 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one blocked shot. Bennett Schwenn and Will Cummins dropped in 11 points each. Cummins grabbed one rebound and had two assists and two steals.  Schwenn snared six boards and had one assist and one steal. 

Mason Riley chipped in eight points, four rebounds, and one steal. Garrett Mertens recorded seven points, five boards, three assists, and one steal. Ryker Trevett rounded out the scoring for Milbank with two points, two rebounds, and an assist. Stevie Ash pulled down one rebound.

Milbank made 33 percent of their shots from the field, hitting 17-of-52 attempts. The Dawgs grabbed 36 rebounds, had 10 assists, 12 steals, and one blocked shot. They committed 14 turnovers.

Roncalli knocked down 22-of-45 from the field for 49 percent shooting. The Cavaliers wrapped up the game with 35 rebounds, seven assists, 13 steals, and 14 turnovers.

File photo – junior Bennett Schwenn