MITCHELL — It was more of the same between Lower Brule and White River.

The Class B heavyweights played a pair of thrillers last season, which the Sioux won by a combined six points and they captured a triple overtime thriller in the state semifinals. Lower Brule made it three straight over its rival on Saturday, prevailing past the Tigers for a 62-54 victory at the Corn Palace. 

“It’s kind of a rivalry and it’s a lot of fun when we play each other,” Lower Brule senior guard Gavin Thigh said. 

Saturday’s contest wasn’t as high scoring as last season’s 86-83 triple overtime affair in Aberdeen. Instead, it was a grind-it-out contest and both teams scored well below their season averages.

No. 4 Lower Brule (15-3) threw on a matchup zone against the Tigers and that contributed to their offensive woes. No. 2 White River (14-4) shot 20 of 61 from the field and 4 of 32 from the 3-point line. 

Lower Brule coach Brian LaRoche Sr., said it was the first time his team has played the matchup zone. 

“I don’t know if anybody caught it, but it worked out,” LaRoche Sr., said. “I don’t think anybody has seen this kind of defense. It’s a matchup zone. You take away their strength and I thought we did a good job of doing that today.”

The Tigers weren’t thrown for a loop by the zone, but White River coach Eldon Marshall said his team needed to find other scoring opportunities against it. 

“We have to learn how to play basketball and make the simple plays when they are available,” Marshall said. “When our shots aren't falling, we need to look to attack the rim and make something out of that. But I know our guys can hit those.” 

Thigh led the Sioux with 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Brian LaRoche Jr., and Ellwyn Langdeau scored 15 points apiece, while Langdeau grabbed 12 rebounds. Tayshawn Battese had 13 points and 10 rebounds. 

White River all-state guard Joe Sayler, the ninth all-time leading scorer in state history, tallied 19 points on 7 of 25 shooting from the field and 0 of 13 from the 3-point line. 

“We just had to go out and stop their best player,” Thigh said. “Whatever side Joe was on, we picked him up and manned him up.”

The teams again traded punches throughout the game, which featured eight ties and 12 lead changes. Thigh was largely responsible for closing out the Tigers. Thigh scored eight points in the final three minutes, including a steal off Sayler and a breakaway layup for a 57-52 advantage with 1:27 left. 

“I saw his back toward me,” Thigh said. “So I just snuck up behind him and poked it out and got it.”

After Sayler got White River within 57-54 with 1:18 left, Thigh drilled a 3-pointer to stretch it back to 60-54 with 45 ticks left. 

“I always try to get to the rim,” Thigh said about his final 3-pointer. “But then I saw him sag off a little bit. So I just decided to pull it.”

The Sioux later pushed their lead to the final margin, which was the largest lead for either team and they ran out the clock. 

“We just couldn’t turn the corner and they did,” Marshall said. “They made the plays. So credit to Lower Brule. They are a good team and we just have to be better.”