MMC bounces RSM 54-45

(Sentinel photo by Bethany Kroeze) RSM's Beau Pick collects two points for the Hawks Tuesday night in Marcus. The freshman netted eight points - all in the first half - for RSM in the 54-45 War Eagle Conference loss. [Click to enlarge]

After trailing just 33-27 at halftime, St. Mary's couldn't quite bounce back Tuesday as the Hawks fell 54-45 on the road to Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn.

The Hawks stayed close in the opening quarter as the Eagles held a small 15-12 advantage at the end of the first.

But the 3-point shooting of MMC's Will Hanson proved harmful to RSM early as the 6-1 junior hit double figures with 11 points just two minutes into the second quarter.

With 5:30 until the half, the Hawks trailed 23-14.

Skyler Higgins hit a couple 3-pointers for the Hawks in the second quarter to pull his squad in closer.

With 1:50 to go, a Higgins 3-point shot got RSM within five, down 30-25.

Beau Pick hit a two-point jumper at the halftime buzzer to cut the Hawks' deficit to 33-27.

But the host Eagles held on in the second half and took a 54-45 War Eagle Conference win over the Hawks.

Chad Weiler led the scoring efforts for RSM with 13 points. The senior hit a pair of 3-point shots as well as 3-of-4 free throws to boost the Hawks.

Tanner Kockler added nine points and five steals while Higgins and Pick each netted eight points. Billy Steichen collected seven points and a team-high nine rebounds in the loss.

Pick added seven boards and Higgins had five as the Hawks totaled 29 rebounds in the game. The Hawks committed 16 turnovers and forced 14 steals from the Eagles.

Coach Ken Hajek's squad falls to 2-6 on the season with the loss. RSM is back in action Thursday at Spalding Catholic before traveling to Hawarden to face West Sioux on Friday.