Tough third quarter leads to Canistota loss in DWU Classic

Canistota’s Cody Bunger’s 24 points weren’t quite enough in a 65-59 to Rosholt on Saturday in a battle of ranked Class B squads in a matchup at the Dakota Wesleyan Classic at the Corn Palace.

Canistota, now 14-3, entered the game No. 4 in the Class B polls with Rosholt at the fifth spot. Rosholt improved to 17-1 on the season.

“I was happy with our effort,” Canistota head coach Pat Jolley said. “We played really hard, but, at times, we didn’t play very smart.”

The Hawks led at the half 34-32, but Jolley wasn’t happy that his team allowed Rosholt to shoot 18 free throws.

“They had almost half of their points from the free-throw line (in the first half),” Jolley said. “That had a big effect on the outcome of the basketball game.”

Rosholt took the lead in the third quarter and outscored Canistota 15-8.

Rosholt stretched the lead early in the fourth and looked to run away with the game, but the Hawks battled back and made it close at the end.

“I was proud of the way they came back,” Jolley said. “They never quit and played really hard.”

Jason Van Winkle put up 16 points for Canistota. He also led the team with six rebounds.

Canistota hosts Alcester-Hudson on Monday.

Tags: sports, updates, basketball, canistota