Sturgis Boys Pin First Loss on Bison, Scooper Girls Lose

HOT SPRINGS, SD – The Scooper boys basketball team sprinted out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and held on for a 54-45 victory over the Hot Springs Bison at Case Auditorium.  It was the first loss of the season for Hot Springs (15-1).

The Scoopers came out firing as Gavin Lightenberg, Ryan Heinert and Dysen Peterson all hit shots in the first to give Sturgis a 10-0 lead with just a few minutes gone.  The Bison answered with a 16-3 run to take the first quarter lead, 16-13.

It was a low scoring second quarter as Sturgis outscored Hot Springs 9-6 to tie the game at 22 at halftime.

Peterson and Lightenberg continued their hot shooting as they each drained three’s to give the Scoopers a 31-28 lead headed into the fourth.

The Sturgis defense clamped down in the final quarter, holding the Bison to 5-of-13 shooting from the field.  The Scoopers converted 9-of-10 free throws in the fourth quarter to ice the game late, securing the 54-45 victory.

Sturgis (6-8) was led by Heinert with 16 points and Peterson chipped in 14.  Jake Vliem ripped down 13 rebounds.  The Scoopers shot 45% from the field and 70% from the charity stripe, committing 13 turnovers and grabbing 26 boards.

Matt Close and Preston Iverson scored 12 points apiece for Hot Springs.  The Bison shot 31% from the field and 73% from the free throw line, turning the ball over eight times and snaring 24 rebounds.

The Scooper girls trailed Hot Springs 10-8 after one quarter and 23-17 at the half.  Sturgis closed the gap and were down 32-27 after three quarters.

Taylor Price hit a big three for Sturgis and the Scoopers had a 36-34 lead late in the fourth quarter but couldn’t hold on, falling to the Hot Springs Lady Bison, 39-36.

Sturgis (1-14) was led by Tori Williams with seven points and seven rebounds.  The Scoopers shot 23% from the field and 38% on free throws, grabbing 36 rebounds and committing 16 turnovers.

Maggie Pruess scored 22 points and had 15 rebounds for Hot Springs (8-9).  The Lady Bison shot 30% from the field and 47% from the free throw line, with 16 turnovers and 35 boards.

The Scooper boys are in action next on Saturday night at West Gym in Sturgis as they host Belle Fourche.  Tip off is scheduled for 7pm.