The Blue Earth Area boys basketball team got a much needed conference win as they downed the St. Peter Saints 72-62 in action Jan. 9.

Although the visiting Saints started the second half with an 11-0 run that turned a Bucs five-point lead into a six-point deficit, it was the Bucs ability to stay poised and answer with a run of their own that ultimately proved to be the difference.

Down 43-37 after the Saints’ run, the Bucs answered with a 17-3 blitz to take a 54-46 lead with just over seven minutes left in the game.

Nate Carr – who finished the game with 14 points, nine rebounds, five steals, and four assists – got things going as he drove the lane before dishing to Jared Smith for an easy basket. A jump hook by Garrett Anderson brought the Bucs to within two.

The Saints’ Brodie Raymond, who led all scorers with 30 points, hit a three for a 46-41 Saints lead.

Baskets by Nick Lee and Anderson brought the deficit down to one. Riley Holmseth’s 3-pointer put the Bucs ahead for good at 48-46.

The Bucs would extend the lead to as many as 12 points. They had to stave off one more run by the Saints that closed the gap to seven before ending with the double digit victory.

“We played with great tenacity tonight,” commented Bucs mentor Gary Holmseth. “This was our best outing as far as playing as a team, and our rebounding was much improved.”

That improved rebounding led to the Bucs dominating the boards with a 37-16 edge over the Saints – with 15 of the rebounds coming off the offensive glass. Carr and Anderson combined to collect 12 of the offensive boards.

Another key stat was the Bucs ability to make it to the free-throw line. After only making it to the line a total of six times in their previous two games, they made it to the charity stripe 23 times against the Saints where they connected 15 times.

Anderson led the Bucs with 26 points while Lee finished with 15.

With the win the Bucs move to 1-2 in the South Central Conference and improve to 4-5 overall.