Emmetsburg built a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter and hung on to down South O’Brien 64-59 January 11 at Paullina. The teams were tied at the end of both the first quarter and at halftime. The E-Hawks led by two after three quarters on the way to raising their record to 10-3. The loss dropped South O’Brien to 8-2 on the season.
David Bottjen hit half of the Wolverines’ eight three-point baskets and finished with 27 points. Ben Woodall added 12 points, Derek Paulsen eight, Willie Conley and Jaden Kreber five apiece and Caden Wittrock two. Paulsen contributed four assists while Conley and Woodall each had three. The E-Hawks got three players in double figures as Byron Maina scored 20 points, Gavin Swanson 17 and Carson Baak 15.
From the field the Wolverines were 23-of-54 (43 percent) and Emmetsburg 22-of-53 (42 percent) with 12 treys. South O’Brien sank five of nine free throws and the E-Hawks eight of 14.
The host team won the battle of the boards by one with Paulsen and Bottjen collecting seven rebounds apiece. Conley, Paulsen, Woodall and Justice Frerk each came away with one steal. South O’Brien committed 15 turnovers while the E-Hawks were guilty of 12.
E’burg
19 15 10 20 – 64
S. O’Brien
19 15 8 17 – 59