Garrett Anderson

After two close games that resulted in losses, the Blue Earth Area Buccaneers were hoping not only for a win, but a comfortable margin of victory as well.

That didn’t happen when they faced the USC Rebels last Tuesday night in Blue Earth.

The Bucs won 56-53, but the game was close most of the way.

With 3:39 left in the game, the score was tied at 49-all. It was the third time in the second half the score was knotted up.

However, each time the Bucs scored the next points and the Rebels never led.

Nick Lee

BEA got the next six points, taking a 55-49 advantage with only 30 seconds left on the clock.

But, that is a lot of time in a basketball game.

USC drew within two with six seconds left when they hit a three-pointer, making the score 55-53.

Nate Carr sank one more free throw with less than two seconds in the game, to make the final 56-53.

Earlier in the game, the Bucs led by as much as 13 in the first half, ahead 22-9 and then again at 27-14 after a Brady Anderson trey.

The Rebels got back to within six at the half, when the score was 30-22.

USC went on a 9-0 run early in the second half to knot the game at 39-39.

A three-pointer by Riley Holmseth broke a 45-45 tie with 5:20 left in the game.

In all, the Bucs hit four of their eight three-point attempts. The Rebels were 3 of 10.

BEA was led by Nick Lee who had 13 points, followed by Brady Anderson with 11 and Garrett Anderson with 10. Both Nate Carr and Holmseth had nine each.

To read more of this story, see this week’s Register.