The Rushford-Peterson Trojans were able to execute their defense to a T, shutting down the Kingsland Knights in the second half to get a 56-43 win at the Mayo Civic Auditorium Saturday morning.

The Trojans were off and running early, taking a 7-2 lead early. Kingsland Senior Zach Bubany hit a 3 to cut the lead to 7-5, but the Trojans patient offense proved worthy as they slowed down the pace.

Rushford-Peterson extended their lead to 21-13 after Luke O'Hare hit a jumper from the baseline, and then Kingsland answered with a jumper from Jackson Rindels. The Trojans got another late bucket from Paulson but Rindles hit another bucket to make it 23-17 at the break.

The Knights struggled to make shots in the second half, and the Trojans defense turned up the pressure. Kingsland got some nice looks from the inside but it was almost like there was a lid on their hoop.

R-P pushed their lead to 10, 29-19 with 14:34 to play and the Knights could never recover. The lead stuck around 10 throughout the game, but the Knights were never out of it, they just failed to connect on shots that they usually make, and it cost them.

Wyatt Pruter hit a 3 to cut the lead down to 45-36, but the Trojans hit at the free throw line to get the win. Ben Ansell was fantastic in the game, finishing with 26 points, while Paulson finished with nine points and Freshman O'Hare finished with 10.

The Knights were led by Pruter who had 10, while Bubany and Meisner finished with nine each.

The Trojans advance to the Section 1A Title game next Saturday night at 7pm. The Knights end their season with a record of 17-12.

KFIL Subway Player of the Game (Kingsland) - Zach Bubany

KFIL Subway Player of the Game (R-P) - Ben Ansell

Kingsley Mercantile Game Ball (R-P) - Jacob Paulson

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