The Blue Earth Area Buccaneers boys basketball team escaped with a close win over the USC Rebels last Tuesday night in Wells.

The Rebels tried a couple of last second 3-point shots, but neither one fell and the Bucs won the game 44-41.

With the Bucs up by just two, and 30 seconds left in the game, Nick Lee drove to the basket, was fouled, made the shot and the free-throw for a 3-point play.

Earlier, with the game tied and five minutes on the clock, he stole the ball and dunked it on the fast break.

Lee led the Bucs with 22 points, which included three 3-pointers. He also grabbed seven rebounds, and had five steals.

Riley Holmseth added nine points to the Bucs total. He hit a 3-pointer from the baseline with five seconds left in the half to give BEA a 27-20 lead at intermission.

Garrett Anderson had eight rebounds and Nate Carr had five steals in the close game. Both had five points.

BEA was 18 of 45 for field goals, and made 4 of 12 at the free throw line. USC was 19 of 45 field goals made, but only made one of the seven free throws they tried.

The Bucs had 31 rebounds, while the Rebels grabbed 24.

USC was led by Nick Baumann who scored 15 points and had 12 rebounds. Jake Sonnek had eight points and seven rebounds for the home team.