Garrett Anderson searches for the Buc basket.

The boys basketball team won their sixth game in a row as they defeated the visiting Kasson-Mantorville KoMets 49-44. The victory improves their overall record to 8-6 while their conference record stands at 5-2.

It was a game that featured the Bucs taking the lead for good just past the midway point of the first half, but not being able to pull away as the KoMets were within five points of the Bucs for most of the contest.

Garrett Anderson and Nick Lee accounted for the Bucs’ first 18 points of the night. Nate Carr broke their string with a jump shot in the lane giving the home town boys a 20-14 advantage on their way to a 22-16 half time lead.

The score tightened early in the second half. Following a basket by Carr gave the Bucs a 28-24 lead, the KoMets’ Steven DeRaad hit a three to cut the Bucs’ lead to one.

Charlie Garlick responded with a big offensive rebound and put back and Anderson converted 1 of 2 free throws to boost the Bucs margin back to four points.

The Bucs were finally able to put together a ‘mini’ run giving them a little breathing room. Leading 37-32, Anderson scored on an inbounds play giving the Bucs a 7-point lead. Nate Carr stole the ball on the KoMets ensuing possession and took it in for a lay up. Add in an Anderson free throw and the Bucs had opened up a 10-point lead.

Trailing 46-41 with 55 seconds left, the KoMets were forced to foul. Although the Bucs were able to covert only three of their final nine free throws, they were able to keep the KoMets off of the scoreboard until the very end of the game to come away with the five point triumph.

“Nick and Garrett gave us their usual scoring punch but our other guys had an off night scoring and that has not happened recently,” noted Bucs coach Gary Holmseth. He added, “It is the first game this season that we did not play well and yet were able to still capture a victory.”

Anderson and Lee accounted for 41 of the Bucs 49 points with Anderson tallying 21 points to Lee’s 20.

The Bucs made 21 of 40 shots from the floor and were 7 of 19 from the free throw line. The KoMets were 18 of 55 from the floor and 6 of 9 from the charity stripe.

Anderson collected 11 rebounds as the Bucs out rebounded the KoMets 29-27. Nate Carr again led the team in steals with four.