The Blue Earth Area Buccaneers boys basketball team erased a 10 point half time deficit to go on to defeat the Waseca Bluejays in a close game, 87-81, Friday, Jan. 25, in Waseca.

The Bucs were trailing the ‘Jays 52-42 at the mid-game buzzer after both teams lit up the nets in the half.

The Buccaneers came out and blistered the nets again in half No. 2, hitting for 45 points. At the same time they were able to hold the Bluejays to just 29 points.

BEA was 20 of 32 from two-point range (63 percent) and 6 of 17 from beyond the arc (35 percent).

But, it was at the free-throw line that they cemented the victory, hitting on 29 of 41 (71 percent).

Waseca was 15 of 23 from the charity stripe (65 percent), 18 of 41 from two point range (44 percent) and 10 of 20 for three-pointers (50 percent).

With 37 three pointers attempted and 64 free-throws attempted, the baskets at both ends of the court were hot spots throughout the contest.

The Bucs’ Dallas Barslou had the hot hand and was the game’s point leader with 26. He nailed three threes but also was 11 of 12 from the line (92 percent). Barslou also grabbed eight rebounds.

The Buccaneer duo of Luke Monson and Isaac Darrington each had a double-double on the night.

Monson had 17 in the point column and nabbed 10 rebounds. Darrington hit for 11 points and also had 10 rebounds.

Brandyn Olsen was the fourth Buc player to hit for double figures, with 15 points. He also had four assists.

Colin Squiers added nine points for BEA, including a perfect 6 for 6 performance at the free-throw line for the former free-throw shooting champion.

For the Bluejays, S. Streich had 25 points and N. Dufault added 23.

BEA out-rebounded Waseca 37 to 19 in the game.

The Bucs, now 7-6 overall, 2-3 in the South Central Conference, face Maple River on Monday, Cannon Falls on Saturday.