Sauk boys earn hard fought playoff win

Nick Leen and Patrick Knoblauch collide as they go for a rebound in Thursday's hard-fought win over Holdingford.  Sauk will play Melrose Saturday night at St. John's University at approximately 7:45 p.m.

It didn't come easy, but the No. 2 seeded Streeters held on to defeat No. 7 seed Holdingford Thursday night in Sauk Centre.

Travis Rieland, Terrence Ellis and Patrick Knoblauch hit key free throws down the stretch in a 61-57 win.

The Streeters got out to a decent start and led 22015 before the Husker went on an 8-0 run to take the lead. A bucket by Nick Adams put Sauk back on top and Knoblauch added a three pointer before Isaac Winters found Adams under the basket for another score and a 29-23 halftime lead.

The Huskers battled back in the second half, nailing a three-pointer on their first trip down the floor. They eventually took the lead and led 39-38 midway through the second half. Rieland then drilled down a three and Adams converted on a three-point play for a 46-42 lead. Isaac Winters scored to make it 48-44. Adams added another key bucket to increase the lead.

The Streeters led 54-48 with 1:30 to play. Holdingford closed the gap to 58-54 but that was as close as they got.

It was 61-54 when they made a three-pointer at the buzzer.

The win advances Sauk (17-10) to the second round of the sub-section playoffs where they will play the winner of the Melrose/St. John's Prep game. The semi-final will be Saturday at 7:45 at St. John's University.

The winner of that game will play next week for the sub-section title.

Nick Adams drives past a Holdingford player Thursday.