MITCHELL — White River exorcized its Lower Brule demons on Friday.

The Class B No. 4 Tigers snapped a four-game losing streak against Lower Brule, pulling away for a 49-30 win at the Hoop City Classic at the Corn Palace. The two Class B powerhouses have played in some memorable battles the past three seasons, including a triple-overtime thriller for the Sioux in the 2022 state tournament semifinals. The Sioux also defeated the Tigers in the 2023 Class B semifinals. 

“I wanted this one a lot because they took us out the last two years,” White River senior guard Nic Marshall said. “So we knew we were going to be playing them coming into this tournament. So I wanted to play them badly.” 

White River (5-1) placed three players in double figures, including 18 points and 10 rebounds from Jordan Uhlir. Marshall added 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. Ray Crow tossed in 10 points, while Evastine Wright finished with five points and seven boards. 

“It gives us a lot of confidence,” Nic Marshall added about the win. “Lower Brule is a good team. They are going to make it far in March. Everyone knows that. They are always ready to go. So it’s a good confidence booster for us going into our next game.”

The Tigers shot 20 of 43 (46.5%) from the field to spur the victory, while building a 20-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. 

“It feels good,” Uhlir said. “We need every win and this one was just another mark, but we have to keep working and getting better.”

White River coach Eldon Marshall was especially pleased with the defensive effort. The Tigers jumped out to a 27-9 halftime lead, limiting Lower Brule to 3 of 18 shooting from the field in the first 16 minutes. 

“They played some good defense, solid defense,” Eldon Marshall said. “They held them to nine points in that first half. They went on a run, but I thought we weathered that storm and we made some plays down the stretch. Jordan really stepped up and took some initiative on offense.”

Lower Brule, which received 10 points apiece from Lane Gray and Quentin McBride, Jr., caused fits with White River in recent years with their defensive schemes. On Friday, the Sioux used a diamond and one defense against the Tigers. 

“That’s a little different look and our guys adjusted and did a good job,” Eldon Marshall said. “We tried some different things with it, but we felt the best that worked was when we were running our motion and cutting and passing and playing basketball out there.”

It also opened up more scoring opportunities for Uhlir, who finished 8 of 13 from the field. 

“I am starting to be more comfortable and learn how they are playing,” said Uhlir, a St. Thomas More transfer. “But it’s a learning process and I am getting there.” 

Uhlir, a 6-foot-6 forward, collected a game-high 10 rebounds. The Tigers won the rebounding battle, 35-18. 

“We have been getting outrebounded at LNI,” Uhlir said. “So we really needed to step up rebounding in this game.”

Uhlir, along with Crow, a Todd County transfer, have stepped into their roles this season as White River continues to look toward March. 

“Everyone is still figuring out roles and more than anything they are really working hard on the defensive end and making things happen there,” Eldon Marshall said.

White River hosts Kadoka Area on Jan. 2. Lower Brule plays Sanborn Central/Woonsocket on Saturday at the Huron Holiday Classic.