CUSTER, SD – The Sturgis Scooper boys had a 13-point lead after three quarters and then withstood stifling pressure from the Custer defense in the fourth to capture a 57-53 win on Larry Luitjens Court.
Sturgis led 48-35 headed into the fourth quarter and looked like they would cruise to an easy win. The Wildcats heated up and went on a 13-0 run to tie the game at 48 with a few minutes left. Scooper big man Jake Vliem hit two timely shots down the stretch and Ryan Heinert added two free throws with less than a minute left to secure the win.
Heinert finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, with Vliem scoring nine points and adding eight boards for Sturgis (2-1). Rhett Lowe scored 22 points for Custer (4-3).
In the first game of the night, the Custer Lady Wildcats scorched the nets, canning four three-pointers in the first quarter on their way to a 60-43 win over the Scoopers.Â
Sturgis trailed 27-19 at the half and cut the Custer lead to 33-25 midway through the third quarter, but couldn’t close the gap and the Lady Wildcats pulled away for the win. The Custer defense forced 29 Sturgis turnovers with their stout man-to-man defense.
Allyson Cass led Custer (6-1) with 18 points, including four three-pointers. Keeley Heikes had two threes and 11 points for the Scoopers (0-3).
The Scooper girls host St. Thomas More on Thursday and Belle Fourche on Friday at West Gym. The Sturgis boys are in action next on Saturday as they travel to Rapid City to take on STM.Â
