MARYSVILLE, Michigan -- The Lutheran North Mustangs defeated the Marysville Vikings at Marysville High School in the Class B district quarterfinals, 53-47. With the win, the Mustangs advance to play the New Haven Rockets in the Class B district semifinals.
The defense of the Mustangs (13-8) allowed too many three-point shots, but none were dropping through the net for Marysville. As a matter of fact, the Vikings only had five points after the first quarter and just 19 points at halftime.
Leading the way in the loss for the Vikings (13-8) was Ross Hinkley with 18 points and Dylan Kiger tossed in 13 points. Austin Paterson knocked down three triples, but missed five to finish with 11 points on the night.
Kiger, however, made a critical mistake with a excessive celebration technical foul in the third quarter after swatting away a shot from the Mustangs. In the fourth quarter, Marysville head coach Ryan Biewer got a technical for arguing with the referee. On technical fouls alone, Lutheran North scored four points.
Lutheran North ran the offense through Drew Arft as the junior guard shot a high percentage from the field to tally 18 points and five assists. Meanwhile, Jack Hilt registered 16 points, with most coming from the charity stripe, and 10 rebounds.
Eli Thaut, the starting junior point guard for Lutheran North, cashed in on a three-point jumper from the top of the key with just a few minutes to play in regulation. The triple gave the Mustangs a five point lead and the momentum to finish strong. Thaut finished with nine points.
The Mustangs outscored the Vikings 19-14 in the fourth quarter to help the team take home the district quarterfinal victory and advance to the district semifinal game.
Lutheran North will battle against New Haven on Wednesday at Lutheran High School in Macomb, Michigan. The battle will tip off at 4:00 PM ET and the winner will play for the Class B district championship.