Max Loge takes the ball to the hoop during the Bucs’ 71-43 victory over the NRHEG Panthers on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The Bucs’ record is now 1-1.

The Blue Earth Area Buccaneers outscored the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Panthers 43-18 in the second half to cruise to a 71-43 victory in boys basketball on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

Leading by only three points at the half, the Bucs put together a 19-3 run midway through the final stanza to take control of the game.

“It was just an outstanding effort by our team,” BEA head coach Colby Swanson said after the game. “I felt our constant pressure on defense had an effect on them and wore them down which allowed us to take control.”

After the Bucs’ Jacob Grandgenett hit a baseline 3-pointer to open the game, the Panthers responded and built a nine-point lead with 9:22 to play in the first half.

Trailing 17-8, Grandgenett ignited a 12-0 run when he grabbed a loose ball at the Panthers’ end of the court and went coast-to-coast for a layup. Max Loge’s baseline drive cut NRHEG’s lead to five points at 17-12.

Two three-pointers, one by Noah Laehn and the other by Will Bromeland, gave BEA an 18-17 lead with 7:15 showing on the clock. A drive and basket by Branson Hauskins put the Bucs on top 20-17.

NRHEG’s Jackson Chrz swished a shot from beyond the arc to knot the score at 20-20.

The teams battled back-and-forth for the remainder of the half with the Bucs taking a one-pont lead at 26-25 with just over one minute left. The Panthers missed a chance to take the lead when they were unable to convert from the free throw line before Loge scored on a drive with 37 seconds left to give BEA a 28-25 lead at the intermission.

NRHEG scored the first five points of the second half to take a 30-28 lead before a Bromeland drive and basket tied the game at 30.

A short, turnaround jumper by Grandgenett was on the mark to give the Bucs the lead for good.

BEA was leading 38-33 when a pull-up jumper by Gage Barker started their 19-3 run. Freshman Sullivan Dahlberg, who came into the game when Hauskins picked up his third foul, hit a three and then drove the lane for another basket to help the Bucs take control of the game.

“Sully came in and did a great job tonight,” Swanson commented. “We had many great contributions off our bench tonight.”

BEA brought in their subs with a couple of minutes left in the game and the Maroon and Gold increased their lead to 30 points with less than a minute to play. NRHEG added one basket with 48 seconds left in the game to make the final score 71-43 in favor of the Bucs.

BEA was 21-for-36 from two-point range and 9-for-34 from three-point range. They only shot two free throws during the game with Bromeland making both attempts.

The Panthers were 10-for-25 from inside of the arc and 7-for-26 from outside of the arc. They attempted nine free throw shots and made two.

Grandgenett led BEA with 16 points, Bromeland finished with 14, Hauskins had eight and Barker had seven.

Bromeland pulled down eight rebounds to pace the Bucs. Loge and Hauskins each had six. Loge also had four assists.

As a team, BEA had a 37 -27 edge in rebounds over NRHEG.

After hosting Martin County West on Friday, Dec. 8, the Bucs had a week off before traveling to Fairmont on Dec. 15, to take on the Cardinals.

JCC 67, BEA 65

The Blue Earth Area Buccaneers nearly erased a 13-point deficit in the closing minutes of their home basketball game against the Jackson County Central Huskies. But, in the closing seconds, the Bucs missed a shot that would have tied the game and the Huskies went home with a 67-65 victory.

The game, played on Friday, Dec. 1, was the first game of the season for both teams.

Prior to the beginning of the season, BEA coach Colby Swanson described this year’s BEA squad as being quick and athletic which will allow the Bucs to play an up-tempo game.

The Maroon and Gold showed they can push the ball up the floor and the fans of both teams were treated to a very entertaining game.

The opening half saw the lead go back-and-forth between the two teams and when the buzzer for intermission sounded, the game was tied 34-34.

JCC got off to a good start in the second half. Meanwhile, BEA seemed a little out of sync.

The Huskies eventually extended their advantage to 13 points before the Bucs caught fire and trimmed JCC’s lead to three points.

BEA’s Will Bromeland, who led all scorers with 31 points, took the ball to the hoop for a basket to cut JCC’s lead to one point at 66-65 with 11.7 seconds remaining in the game.

The Bucs had to foul to try and get the ball back and Bromeland committed his fifth foul to exit the game with 7.7 seconds showing on the game clock.

The Huskies’ free throw shooter missed his first attempt but made his second shot from the charity stripe to give JCC a 67-65 lead.

BEA was able to take the ball the length of the court but their shot at the buzzer rolled off of the rim and JCC went home with the two-point victory.

Gage Barker was the only other BEA player to crack double figures in points with 11.

Max Loge was the leading rebounder for the Bucs with nine.