MMCRU completed the home-and-home sweep of South O’Brien with a 63-45 War Eagle Conference victory over the Wolverines January 14 at Paullina. Trailing by three after one quarter, the Royals outscored South O’Brien 46-25 the rest of the way. MMCRU won the first go-round between the teams 74-64 December 10 at Marcus.
The 17 Royals steals contributed to 27 South O’Brien turnovers. Couple that with 14 offensive rebounds and MMCRU was able to attempt 26 more shots than the Wolverines (64-38). That was key since South O’Brien shot the ball slightly better. (45 percent to 41 percent). From three-point range the Royals were 6-of-20 and South O’Brien 3-of-13. MMCRU made five of nine free throws while the Wolverines were 8-of-13 at the line.
The Royals got 12 points from both Brayson Mulder and Lucas Braun, 11 from Kamden Bork, nine from Wyatt Alesch, six from both Jace Colling and Michael Peterson, three from Brandon Dreckman and two from both Michael Schmillen and Eli Schlenger. Schmillen contributed seven assists and Colling four. With 18 total assists and 11 turnovers, MMCRU’s assists-to-turnover ratio was 1.64.
Each team pulled down 28 rebounds. The top board men were Peterson with six, Mulder with five and Bork and Braun with four apiece. Colling, Peterson and Braun each came away with three steals and Clint Staab blocked a shot.
MMCRU
17 14 18 14 – 63
S. O’Brien
20 8 13 4 – 45