Strong 2nd Half Propels Mystics past Thunderbirds

Box Score

Team Stats

Bismarck State's Isaiah Davis goes up for a shot against United Tribes' Houston Davis (15) during Monday's game at the Armory.
Bismarck State's Isaiah Davis goes up for a shot against United Tribes' Houston Davis (15) during Monday's game at the Armory.
December 5, 2023

Mike Kraft, Bismarck Tribune

Anthony Bertucci and Kennez Bozeman each scored 18 points and the Bismarck State College men's basketball team had five players finish in double figures in a 100-86 victory over United Tribes on Monday at the Armory to earn their first Mon-Dak victory of the season. 

The Mystics (4-6 overall, 1-5 Mon-Dak) held a slim 46-43 advantage at halftime before finding its rhythm from behind the 3-point line in the second half to build a 76-56 advantage -- their largest of the contest. Bertucci and Garrett Bader each knocked down a game-high four 3s. The Mystics shot 42 percent from behind the 3-point arc. 

 

The Thunderbirds (5-5, 3-4) closed the gap to 80-70, but that's as close as they would get the rest of the game. BSC always had an answer to keep the advantage from dwindling into the single digits.

"They like to play at a fast pace, get up a lot of 3-point shots and penetrate and drive and kick," BSC coach Kevin Rice said. "A team like that, we have to limit their open looks and straight-line drives. On our offensive side, we have to execute a little bit better than we did. I'm trying to get them geared toward the rest of the season, not just the present game we play." 

Bader's final 3-pointer of the night pushed the lead back up to 18 at 89-71. When UTTC again went on a run to trim the margin to 92-82, Hussein Elmaraghy knocked down a jumper and Bertucci drained a 3 to ensure the victory. 

 

"I liked the poise because they're going to keep coming," Rice said. "Whether they're up 30 or down 30, down 15, down two, up two, they're going to play the same way, so we have to stay poised on both ends and get the job done." 

Cayden Redfield finished with a game-high 29 points and Houston Davis chipped in 12 and had 10 rebounds. 

The Mystics host North Dakota State College of Science on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Armory and UTTC hosts Sisseton Wahpeton College in the John Thunder Hawk Classic on Friday at 7:30 p.m.