The Rebels’ Wyatt Meyer dribbles around a defender during action in a recent game.

After having lost a heart breaker the previous night, the United South Central Rebels came back the following night and won another game that was close, and took third in the Blue Earth Area Holiday Tournament.

The Rebels had fallen 68-64 to Jackson County Central on Wednesday, Dec. 29, after having led by as many as 11 points.

The next day, Thursday, Dec. 30, USC took on the team from Truman/Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain.

This time the Rebels trailed by three at the half, 33-30, but then outscored the Jaguars 34-24 in the second half to secure the 66-57 victory.

“It was a great team win last night. Everyone knew their role and the effort the players gave was outstanding,” USC coach Adam Walker said on Friday morning. “Missing two key players (Colton Quade and Taybor Conley) and still being able to overcome a second half deficit on back to back games, showed how much heart and resiliency this team has.”

The team was led by Zale Bushlack who scored 21 points and had 10 rebounds.

Luke Pederson had 15 points and seven rebounds and Nick Bushlack had 14 points and eight assists.

All three Rebels made three 3-pointers each in the game.

“Zale was a monster inside and out again for us,” coach Walker said. “Nick and Luke made some huge shots, and the two Martinez boys (Jorge and Johnny) as well as Blake (Schroeder) all contributed with key plays whether it was a big bucket, or a key rebound in crunch time.”

Jorge Martinez had eight points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals, Johnny Martinez had four points, six assists and six steals and Blake Schroeder had two points, four rebounds and three steals.

As a team the Rebels were 13 of 30 (43 percent) from 2-point range, 10 of 30 (33 percent) from 3-point range and 8 of 14 (57 percent) from the free-throw line.

The Jaguars were 19 of 39 (49 percent) for 2-pointers, 4 of 10 (40 percent) for 3-pointers and 7 of 14 (50 percent) from the charity stripe.

The Rebels had 28 rebounds to the Jaguars’ 34, 22 assists to their 20 and 18 steals to their 10.

“Very proud of our effort last night,” the Rebel mentor added. “It was great to get a win in another close game.”

Next up for USC was a game on Friday, Jan. 7, at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton.

This week they host Maple River on Monday, Jan. 10, and travel to Kenyon-Wanamingo on Friday, Jan. 14, and to Alden-Conger the next day.