The second matchup between the Breckenridge Cowboys and the Staples-Motley Cardinals was much like the first — down to the wire. The Cardinals came away with a season split Thursday, winning 78-77 on their home court to avenge a 70-64 loss in Breckenridge.
Eli Rutten led the home team with a game-high 30 points, knocking down six 3-pointers and shooting 12 of 16 overall. Avandre Brandt scored 13, Carter Sarbaum tallied 12, and Conner Kuhns added 11.
Josiah Burton stuffed the stat sheet for Staples-Motley, recording eight points with a game-high nine rebounds and seven assists.
The Cardinals shot 52 percent overall and 46 percent from beyond the arc.
Breckenridge was led by Cooper Roberts. The senior point forward racked up 27 points and six assists. Aidan Sanchez added 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Levi Christensen recorded 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
Charlie Kratcha added nine points on 3-of-12 shooting from three-point range.
The Cowboys shot 46 percent overall and 29 percent from beyond the arc. The Cowboys, riding an 8-5 stretch following their 11-0 start to the campaign, have regular season games remaining against Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton and Pelican Rapids.
The loss drops Breckenridge (19-5, 11-2) to second place in the Heart O’ Lakes Conference. Staples-Motley (15-7, 9-4) closed the gap in the HOL standings, as both teams trail Pelican Rapids (18-5, 12-1).