JACKSON — St. Vincent had control for most of the night, but it wasn’t until the final five minutes that the Indians truly put the game away.
Behind a big performance from Colden Prost and a late surge that turned a comfortable lead into a decisive one, St. Vincent pulled away from Saxony Lutheran for a 69- 47 win Feb. 3, improving to 15-5 on the season. Saxony Lutheran fell to 5-14.
The Indians led by around 10 points for much of the game, stretching the margin to as many as 19 before Saxony answered with small runs to keep the outcome from being fully settled until late.
“We had the lead probably 10 points most of the game, expanded it to maybe 19 a few times, and next thing you know, we’re back down to 10,” said St. Vincent coach Bruce Valleroy. “The score is a little misleading. The last five minutes, we really turned it on and stretched it out.”
St. Vincent led 15-11 after the first quarter and 30- 17 at halftime, using efficient shooting and solid ball movement to control the tempo. Saxony cut into the deficit in the third, outscoring St. Vincent 14-13 to pull within 43- 31 heading into the fourth.
That was as close as it would get.
The Indians closed the game with a 26-point fourth quarter, consistently getting to the rim and capitalizing at the free-throw line to turn a competitive game into a comfortable win.
Prost led all scorers with 29 points, finishing 10-of-17 from the field and 7-of-9 at the free-throw line. He also added 7 assists and 3 blocks, continuing a strong stretch of play.
“He’s had two great games for us,” Valleroy said. “He’s just been playing really well.”
Max Wheeler added 20 points and 7 rebounds, while Case Huber chipped in 8 points and 6 assists. Liam Nations scored 3 points, and Quinton Whistler provided key minutes off the bench.
St. Vincent shot 56 percent from the field and 75.9 percent on two-point attempts, finishing with 42 points in the paint and 18 assists. The Indians also held a 42-14 edge in points in the paint, a difference that became more pronounced as the game wore on.
Valleroy noted fatigue may have played a role early, as the game marked St. Vincent’s third contest in four days.
“You could tell the legs were a little tired,” he said. “But we really hung in there.”
Saxony Lutheran was led by balanced scoring, with several players contributing, but the Crusaders struggled to match St. Vincent’s efficiency inside. Saxony shot 37.2 percent from the field and was unable to generate consistent second-chance opportunities.
“We like the way we’re playing right now,” Valleroy said. “The kids are getting after it at both ends of the floor. We’re 15-5 and having a great year, and we want to keep it going.”
ST. VINCENT 50, STE. GENEVIEVE 48
STE. GENEVIEVE — The ending was frantic, fitting for a rivalry game that was physical, defensive and tight from start to finish.
St. Vincent survived a late scare Feb. 2, holding on for a close victory over host Ste. Genevieve, after the Dragons missed a layup at the buzzer, allowing the Indians to escape with a hard-earned road victory.
“It got too exciting at the end,” said St. Vincent coach Bruce Valleroy.
The Indians led 50-48 with 5.5 seconds remaining and had the ball under their own basket, but a turnover gave Ste. Genevieve, one final chance. The Dragons pushed the ball the length of the floor and got a look at the rim as time expired, but the shot bounced away.
“It was just like the Perryville game,” Valleroy said. “The kid had the bottom of the rim on his layup, and we pulled it out.”
The game was close throughout. Ste. Genevieve led 14-13 after the first quarter, but St. Vincent responded with a strong second period, taking a 28-25 advantage into halftime behind solid ball movement and timely perimeter shooting.
Neither team found much offensive rhythm in the third quarter. The Dragons edged the Indians 11-9 in the period, briefly reclaiming the lead, before St. Vincent answered in the fourth with enough offense and defense to regain control.
The Indians outscored Ste. Genevieve 13-12 in the final quarter, leaning on defensive stops and poise down the stretch to hold off repeated Dragon pushes.
St. Vincent shot 45 percent from the field and knocked down six 3-pointers, while Ste. Genevieve finished at 36.5 percent and went 4-of-13 from beyond the arc. The Indians also held a narrow rebounding edge and limited second-chance opportunities in key moments.
Valleroy credited his team’s defensive effort against a Ste. Genevieve squad that has been tested throughout the season.
“They’re a very good ball club,” he said. “They’ve beaten some really good teams this year, and we knew it was going to be a good game. I thought we came out and got after it defensively.”
The game featured multiple lead changes and several momentum swings, but neither team was able to create real separation. Each possession carried weight, and nearly every basket in the fourth quarter felt magnified.
Despite the late turnover and tense finish, Valleroy said the win reflected his team’s toughness.
“It was a gutsy game for us,” he said. “We found a way to score some baskets, played good defense, and pulled it out.”
