United South Central’s Zale Bushlack looks to put the ball in the hoop during the Rebels’ 58-38 victory over the Sibley East Wolverines in the first round of the Blue Earth Area Holiday Tournament on Dec. 29.

The United South Central boys basketball team had little trouble with the Sibley East Wolverines during their first game at the Blue Earth Area Holiday Tournament on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 29.

The USC Rebels downed the Wolverines by a score of 58-38.

USC’s intense defensive pressure enabled them to build an early lead in the opening minutes of the contest.

A trey by Jorge Martinez followed by a layup by Johnny Martinez had the Rebels on top 9-2. After the Wolverines scored a basket to make the score 9-4, the Rebels put together an 8-0 run to go on top 17-4 and cause Sibley East coach Tyler Vaughan to call a time out.

USC’s run started when post player Zale Bushlack muscled his way down low for two points. Johnny Martinez then stole the ball and took it in for a layup before finding Bushlack open for an easy hoop underneath. Another steal and layup, this time by Nick Bushlack, gave the Rebels their 13-point lead.

The Wolverines were trailing 25-14 and working for the final shot of the half when Nick Bushlack stole the ball and raced to the other end to put the Rebels on top 27-14 at the intermission.

Both teams increased their scoring totals in the second half, but the Rebels still outscored the Wolverines 31 to 24 in the second stanza, to seal the win and advance to the championship of the BEA Tournament on Friday night, Dec. 30, against the BEA Buccaneers. Results of that game will be in next week’s issue of the Faribault County Register.

USC and BEA met earlier this year on Dec. 13, in Blue Earth, with the Bucs claiming a come-from-behind 64-47 victory.

Against the Wolverines, the Rebels were led in scoring by Zale Bushlack who had 18 points. Johnny Martinez added 13 points and Nick Bushlack 10.

As a team the Rebels had 23 2-pointers, three 3-pointers and were 3 of 9 for free throws. The Wolverines made 10 2-point shots, four 3-pointers and were 8 of 12 from the charity stripe.

USC had 17 fouls and Sibley East had 16.

The win evened the Rebels’ season record at three wins and three losses and gives them a two-game winning streak.

Sibley East now has two wins against five losses and moved to the consolation round of the tournament to face the GHEC/T/ML Jaguars in an afternoon game played on Dec. 30.