Aberdeen Christian threw off a slow start offensively in the first half and exploded for 52 points in the second half.
The Knights topped Mitchell Christian 79-51 on Friday in a non-conference boys' high school basketball game at the Aberdeen Civic Arena. Aberdeen worked for better shots in the second half.
"We were very sluggish the first half shooting the three-ball and settled for shots," said Aberdeen coach Dave Palmer. "In the second half, we went out and broke them down with penetration and getting better shots. Sam (Palmer) did a good job. He had 10 points in the third quarter and nine in the fourth. We got a lot of points driving. They were over-playing on Matt (Rohrbach) and Sam broke them down with the dribble."
The Knights, who led by just six points at halftime, made 13 of 16 two-point field goals in the second half for a shooting percentage of 81 percent. After a slow start rebounding, Aberdeen won the battle of the boards by a 35-31 margin.
"It was not settling for open looks early and getting a better shot. We shot too quickly in the first half and they got too many extra possessions by rebounding," said Palmer.
Three Mitchell Christian players scored in double figures, including Jackson Feiner with 15.
The Knights leaders were Palmer with 26 points and Rohrbach with 21. Job Niewenhuis added 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Aberdeen Christian will host Wilmot on Friday at the Aberdeen Civic Arena at 6 p.m. in a makeup game. Christian also plays Herreid-Selby Area in a Northern State Classic on Dec. 29.
"Those are two really good games for us against physical teams," said Palmer.
MITCHELL CHRISTIAN: Keegan Larson-Shields 1 0-0 2, Jackson Feiner 6 3-5 15, Aaron Lemon 4 3-3 13, Wes Vander Pol 4 3-4 11, Adam Rasmussen 2 1-4 5, Ethan Cooper 1 0-0 3, Levi Knight 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 10-16 51.
ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN: Seth Lundeen 1 1-2 3, Matt Rohrbach 7 1-1 21, Tanner Droog 1 1-2 3, Job Niewenhuis 7 5-11 19, Sam Palmer 10 4-4 26, Tanner Iwerks 1 0-0 2, Josh Holsing 1 3-4 5. Totals 28 15-24 79.
Mitchell Christian (1-4)| 11 21 38 51
Aberdeen Christian (2-2)| 13 27 52 79
3-point field goals --Lemmon 2, Cooper, Rohrbach 6, Palmer 2 Fouled out -- Lemmon, Rasmussen. Total fouls -- Mitchell 17; Aberdeen 13. Rebounds -- Mitchell 31 (Rasmussen 11); Aberdeen 35 (Niewenhuis 13). Turnovers -- Mitchell 10; Aberdeen 15. Assists -- Mitchell 5 (Feiner 2); Aberdeen 17 (Rohrbach 6).