Schwenn Scores 26 in Close One Against the Cardinals

Bennett Schwenn hammered in 26 points to lead all scorers in the Bulldogs’ battle against the Deuel Cardinals, who remain undefeated in the NEC. Milbank put up a valiant fight — the two teams were tied at halftime and the Dogs led by three points in the third quarter. But, the Cardinals pushed back in the last period to score 20 points and take the win at 60-54 on Tuesday, January 25, in Clear Lake. 

Kellen Hoeke came off the bench to knock down nine for the Bulldogs. Garrett Mertens dropped in seven. Wylie Mursu and Joe Schulte each added five, and Karson Weber landed his two free throws.The Cardinals had three players in double figures. Trey Maaland recorded 16 points, Cooper Schiernbeck had 15, and Braydon Simon added 11. Zane Bingham followed with eight points and eight rebounds.

Schwenn was also the top rebounder for the Bulldogs. He had four. Mertens, Mursu, and Schulte each pulled down three. Justus Osborne had two. Stevie Ash, Hoeke, and Weber grabbed one apiece. Schwenn nailed 80 percent from the free-throw line and the Bulldogs as a team hit 64 percent.

The Cardinals were nearly 88 percent from the line. Milbank, however, outshot them from everywhere else on the court except three-point land. The Dogs canned nearly 48 percent of their two-point field goals. The Cardinals made 46 percent.From behind the arc, the Bulldogs converted on just three of 13 for 23 percent and the Cardinals were six of 15 for 40 percent.

Score by Periods: Bulldogs     9     11     20     14     54       Cardinals     15     10     15     20     60 

What’s next for the Bulldogs?  The JV and Varsity squads travel to Redfield to take on the Pheasants tonight, Thursday, January 27. Tip off is at 6 p.m.  Redfield is coming off a 53-64 conference loss to Sisseton last weekend on their home court.