USC’s Brody Steinhauer tries to drive around his opponent during an earlier game this season in Wells.

The United South Central Rebel boys basketball team recorded their second win of the year on Monday Dec. 22 when they went on the road to defeat the Martin Luther/Granada-Huntley-East Chain/ Truman Jaguars by a final score of 58-54.

The Jaguars held the lead most of the first half. Relying on effective three-point shooting and a pressure defense, ML/GHEC/T took a 34-20 lead into the halftime intermission.

The Rebels began chipping away at the Jaguar’s lead early in the final 18 minutes of play.

“Our guards began handling the pressure a lot better,” USC head coach Adam Walker said. “This allowed us to close the gap.”

Trailing by one point, USC’s Seth Kayser and Brody Steinhauer each knocked down a shot from behind the arc.

Later in the game, ML/GHEC/T tied the game at 51-51.

A made free throw by the Rebels Drew Bullerman gave his team a one-point lead at 52-51 with a minute and a half to play.

After USC stole the ball, Steinhauer drove to the basket and was fouled while putting the ball through the hoop. He made his free throw to give USC a 55-51 lead.

The Jaguars didn’t quit and Reagan Emmert’s long three pointer had ML/GHEC/T back within one point of the Rebels with USC holding a 55-54 lead.

A free throw by Steinhauer increased USC’s lead to 56-54.

With three seconds left to play, the Rebels’ Landon Beck was fouled. He sank both free throws to secure the 58-54 win for USC.

“This is the second year in a row the Rebels have come from being down by at least double figures in the second half to beat the Jags,” Walker commented. “We had a great effort from our guards late in the game. Seth Kayser was amazing defensively along with Beck and Steinhauer and they made big shots down the stretch to get us the win on the road.”

Three Rebels reached double figures in scoring led by Jayden Barnick with 16 points and followed by Steinhauer with 15 and Beck with 13. Kayser tallied eight points and Wyatt Sparks finished with five.

Barnick finished with a double-double by also having 10 rebounds.

USC was 16-for-28 (57 percent) on their shooting from inside the arc and 6-for-18 (33 percent) from outside the arc. The Rebels made eight of their 17 (47 percent) free throw attempts.

The Jaguars made 15 of their 35 (43 percent) two-point shots and were 6-for-20 (30 percent) on their three-point attempts. They shot 16 free throws and made six (38 percent).

ML/GHEC/T had a 32-22 rebounding advantage. Each team had 28 turnovers.

USC was scheduled to host West Lutheran on Saturday, Jan. 3. Look for results on that game in next week’s edition of the Faribault County Register.