Aberdeen Christian is riding a three-game winning streak going into 2013.
The Knights pulled away from Herreid-Selby Area 54-46 on Saturday during the final day of the Northern State Classic at Wachs Arena. Aberdeen Christian improves to 4-2 on the season and is on a three-game winning streak to close out the 2012 calendar year.
The Knights led Herreid-Selby Area 39-36 going into the fourth quarter. The Wolverines sliced the lead to 45-43 with two minutes and 45 seconds left. The Knights responded with a 9-3 run to capture the win.
"We didn't like how we played defense at times and we didn't like our shot selection and just kind of the way we handled playing on the Barnett Center floor," Christian coach Dave Palmer said, "but the way we played the fourth quarter, I was real pleased."
Matt Rohrbach netted four free throws in the waning moments to help keep the Wolverines at bay. Rohrbach finished with 13 points and dished out six assists. Sam Palmer netted a team-high 15 points for the Knights. The sophomore canned four three-pointers, two in each half.
"He is really going to be a good shooter for us," coach Palmer said, "this year and for years to come."
Job Niewenhius added 12 points, including a big basket in the fourth quarter to spark the Knights' run to close the game. Herreid-Selby Area doubled on Palmer and Rohrbach found a wide open Niewenhuis for the layup.
"Job slipped that screen and went to the bucket," coach Palmer said, "just the way the kids read to make that play, I was real thrilled, and making free throws, I was happy with that."
Nick Larson dropped in a game-high 23 points for Herreid-Selby Area. Kennedy Kosters added 14 points, including four three-pointers for the Wolverines. Herreid-Selby Area (3-3) will play at Ipswich next Saturday.
Aberdeen Christian will play Edmunds Central next Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Civic Arena.
HERREID-SELBY AREA: Brady Vander Vorst 0 0-0 0, Dakota Thorstenson 1 2-2 4, Nick Larson 10 1-3 23, Kennedy Kosters 5 0-0 14, Lane Rossow 1 0-0 2, Logan Schaefbauer 1 0-0 3. Totals 19-60 3-5 46.
ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN: Matt Rohrbach 3 6-7 13, Noah Aderhold 0 2-2 2, Sam Palmer 5 1-2 15, Job Niewenhuis 5 2-3 12, Tanner Droog 4 1-4 10. Totals 17-50 12-18 54.
Herreid-Selby Area (3-3)|12223646
Aberdeen Christian (4-2)|12263954
3-point field goals - Larson 2, Kosters 4, Schaefbauer, Rohrbach, Palmer 4, Droog. Fouled out - Vander Vorst. Total fouls - Herreid-Selby Area 18; Aberdeen Christian 11. Rebounds - Herreid-Selby Area 30; Aberdeen Christian 29. Turnovers - Herreid-Selby Area 18; Aberdeen Christian 9.