Dawgs Down the Pheasants to Advance in Region Tourney

The Milbank Bulldogs defeated the Redfield Pheasants, 54-31, in the opening game of the Region 1A  basketball tournament on Tuesday, March 2, in Redfield. The win advanced Milbank to semi-final action. The Bulldogs now meet the Groton Tigers on Friday, March 5, at 7 p.m. in Groton.

“We knew we had a really good game plan going in, and I couldn’t be more proud of how well the boys executed it — literally, from start to the very end,” stated Milbank’s head coach, Logan Diede. “We were on point defensively all night and dominated the glass. Rebounding was going to be key for us in the way we wanted to defend, and we answered the call. Carter Hartman led by example all night — leaving it all out there.  He was a monster rebounding and scoring the ball! We just had guys step up and believe in themselves.  Whatever had to be done, everyone was willing to do with no questions asked.”

Milbank got out to a hot start with a 20-10 advantage after the opening quarter of play. The Bulldogs broke the game open at 30-16 at halftime. Milbank continued to stay in control and maintained a commanding lead at 40-23 at the end of the third period. The Bulldogs put away another 14 points in the fourth, while keeping a close eye on the Pheasants, to cement the victory for Milbank at 54-31.

Carter Hartman set the pace for the Dawgs and produced a double-double. He scored 17 points and snared 14 rebounds He also had one steal and one blocked shot. Bennett Schwenn followed with 13 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Mason Riley posted seven points, eight boards, and two assists.  Stevie Ash recorded five points, one rebound, two assists, and one steal. Garrett Mertens added five points to Milbank’s score. He also snared four rebounds and had four assists and one steal.

Also contributing to the totals for Milbank were: Justus Osborn, three points, one rebound, and three assists; Aiden Foell, two points and two rebounds; Wylie Mursu, two points and four rebounds; and Kellen Hoeke, three rebounds.

Milbank completed 20-of-49 from the field for 41 percent shooting. The Bulldogs grabbed 44 rebounds, had 12 assists, seven steals, and one blocked shot. They were charged with 12 turnovers.

Redfield made just 20 percent of their shots from the field, hitting 11-of-54 attempts. The Pheasants ended the game with 33 rebounds, four assists, eight steals, and eight turnovers.

File photo – sophomore Justus Osborn