After losing a heartbreaker to Windom on Thursday, Feb. 4, the Blue Earth Area Buccaneers lost another tight game two days later.

This one went to triple overtime, and saw the St. Peter Saints defeat the Bucs, 81-79.

The Bucs jumped out to an early 16-5 lead, but couldn’t hold it.

Nate Carr and Garrett Anderson got into foul trouble early and had to sit out a majority of the first half. That allowed the Saints to get back into the game.

Anderson got his third and fourth fouls early in the first six minutes of the second half, and had to sit out again.

That put extra pressure on Nick Lee, and he responded with a great game, scoring 36 points for the Bucs.

But, the Saints’ Brodie Raymond had a stellar game as well, scoring 44 points. He is the second leading scorer in the state.

The Bucs had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but missed two free throws. They also had a chance at the end of the second overtime, but couldn’t get the ball to fall through the hoop.

The game was tied at the end of regulation, and both teams scored eight points in the first overtime, and five in the second.

“Our kids gave a great effort and executed well on offense,” says Head Coach Gary Holmseth. “But our shots did not fall at critical times. I was proud of our effort, but I have to give St. Peter a lot of credit for a fine effort as well.”

Despite sitting out much of the game, Anderson still managed a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. In the game against Windom, Anderson had become the Bucs all-time leading rebounder.

Carr added 13 points and five rebounds. Lee also had eight boards.

The Bucs out rebounded the Saints 38-20.

Brady Anderson added 10 points in the Bucs’ effort.

BEA made 31 of 57 two-point shots, and 2 of 9 three-pointers.

St. Peter made 24 of 46 two-pointers, and 5 of 18 from beyond the arc.

The Bucs were 11 of 18 from the line, while the Saints were 18 of 25.

The loss dropped the Bucs record to 13-4, 6-4 in the South Central Conference. The Saints are 10-4, 5-2.