ABERDEEN — With the help of a strong effort in the second half, fourth-seeded Clark-Willow Lake pulled away for a 57-47 victory against No. 5-seeded Canistota during the opening round of the Class B State Boy’s Basketball Tournament at the Barnett Center.
After leading just briefly during the first 16 minutes of play, the Cyclones game up bit in the third quarter to secure their spot in the semifinals.
Both teams struggled to get things going on the offensive end of the floor as they combined for just six points during the first four minues of play.
After Jacob Prouty connected on his first field goal to bring Clark-Willow Lake back to within two points at 6-4, the Hawks embarked on a 7-0 run to take their biggest lead of the game at 13-4. Trey Ortman had back-to-back field goals, including a 3-pointer to cap the run.
A steal and a pull-up jumper by Prouty propelled the Cyclones as they started the trek to get back into it. Ntai Stevens followed with a 3-pointer at the buzzer to slice Canistota’s lead to 13-9 at the end of the opening quarter.
The two teams traded scoreless possessions to start the second quarter before Prouty capped an 8-0 run for the Cyclones with his first 3-pointer of the game to narrow the deficit to just a point.
Despite coming up empty on its next two possessions, Clark-Willow Lake was able to limit the Hawks to just three points before Prouty hit his second 3-pointer to pull back to within a point at 18-17.
Neither team would score again until Stone Burke collected a steal and made the dish to Prouty for a layup to give the Cyclones their first lead of the game at 19-18 with three minutes remaining in the opening half.
The two teams then traded baskets before Scott Jolley converted on a free throw to pull Canistota even at 21-21.
A steal by Grayson Florey resulted in a basket by Bradyn Rusher to put Clark-Willow Lake back in front, but a field goal by Jared Tieszen brought the Hawks back even at 23-23 at the half.
Two baskets, including a 3-pointer, by Tyce Ortman provided the Hawks with the lead to start the second half, but they would get just two more points during the final four minues and 42 seconds of the third quarter.
Clark-Willow Lake would capitalize by outsoring Canistota 14-2 during that span to carry a 38-30 lead into the final quarter.
Micah Burke, who spent a good deal of the second quarter on the bench with foul trouble, kick started the run for the Cyclones with his first points of the game.
Back-to-back field goals by Florey and Rusher set Clark-Willow Lake up for the pivotal run to close the third quarter. Prouty found the basket on a reverse layup to give the Cyclones a 32-30 advantange and then used a drive to the basket to make it 38-30 at the end of the third quarter. Sandwiched between scores by Prouty were a drive and a layup by Stevens and another field from Micah Burke.
The Hawks scored the first basket of the fourth quarter to cut their deficit to six, but that’s as close as they would get the rest of the way as Clark-Willow Lake converted on 8 of 11 free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
Prouty would finish with a game-high 27 points to lead three players in double figures for the Cyclones, who improved to 19-5. Stevens and Rusher each added 10 points.
Stevens also had 11 rebounds to help Clark-Willow Lake to a 35-28 edge on the boards, and he snagged a team-high two steals. Florey recorded a pair of assists.
Connor Carlson had 16 points to lead Canistota, which is now 20-4, while Tyce Ortman had 11 points and Trey Ortman had eight points.
Carlson also had 14 rebounds for the Hawks, while Jolley had four assists and Trey Ortman had two steals.
Clark-Willow Lake will now face top-seeded Bridgewater-Emery, which is the defending Class B champion, in the semifinals at 6 p.m. today.
Canistota will play eighth-seeded Lower Brule in the consolation semifinals at noon today.
PHOTOS BY JOHN DAVIS/AMERICAN NEWS Clark/Willow Lake's Bradyn Rusher, left, puts up a shot around Canistota's Jared Tieszen, back center and Trey Ortman (3) during the first half of Thursday's game at the South Dakota Class B Boys Basketball Tournament at Wachs Arena.
Next, Clark/Willow Lake's Ntai Stevens, center, pushes the ball up the floor between Canistota's Trey Ortman (3) and Jordan Lee (10) late in Thursday's game.
