MITCHELL — In a Class B state championship rematch, De Smet’s defense again sealed the victory. 

Behind their sound defense and big man Damon Wilkinson, the No. 3 Bulldogs held off No. 4 Lower Brule 61-53 at the Hanson Classic on Saturday. The Bulldogs, who were trailing 36-30 at halftime, limited Lower Brule to five points in the third quarter and 17 in the second half. 

“We came out and played really good defense on them in the second half,” said Wilkinson, a 6-foot-10 post that finished with 19 points and 17 rebounds. “It was definitely our defense. It was outstanding.”

Wilkinson’s offensive production was complemented by three other players in double figures: Kadyn Fast (14), Kasen Janssen (11) and George Jensen (11). 

The other players benefited from Wilkinson facing double and triple teams in the paint. That’s when the role players flourished and they combined to shoot 8 of 25 from the field. 

“That’s really nice because if they keep hitting shots, it opens it up more and if they are going to keep guarding down low, they are going to keep shooting,” said Wilkinson. 

Lower Brule’s Gavin Thigh drives to the hoop during the first half of the Sioux’s loss to De Smet on Saturday at the Hanson Classic at the Corn Palace in Mitchell. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Lower Brule’s speed and quickness caused fits for De Smet through the first two quarters. Lower Brule, which averaged 113 points in its past two games, were spurred by playmakers Gavin Thigh (19 points) and Brian LaRoche (18 points). Tate Elk Soldier added 10 points. 

LaRoche started his week with a 57-point performance in Lower Brule’s 114-46 win over Cheyenne-Eagle Butte. 

The Sioux jumped out to a 20-15 first-quarter lead, sparked by LaRoche’s 10 points. Lower Brule stretched its advantage to six at halftime. 

That’s when De Smet seized control. 

“We settled down and moved the ball a little bit better,” De Smet coach Jeff Gruenhagen said. “I think the in your face pressure right away just backed us away from the 3-point line and we were just playing too far away from the basket.” 

The Bulldogs outscored Lower Brule, 17-5, in the third quarter and led 47-41 entering the final frame. 

“We gave up some offensive rebounds in the first half,” Gruenhagen said. “That was kind of the big difference there. It was four or six points just by giving them a second shot. So we had to clean that up.” 

The Bulldogs won the rebounding margin, 45-27. 

De Smet will play at Castlewood on Jan. 23. Lower Brule will play in the Dakota Oyate Challenge on Jan. 26-28 in Huron.