Aberdeen Roncalli was in a scoring draught before the flood gates opened.

The Cavaliers erupted for 28 points in the final 10 minutes of the game to record their first win of the season in a 56-37 non-conference boys’ basketball triumph over Sully Buttes Monday night. The decision gave first-year coach Dan Gallagher his first career victory.

The scoring barrage at Roncalli Gym came on the heels of a scoring outage for the Cavaliers, who failed to score for more than six minutes to start the second half.

Gallagher saw an offense implemented to combat the Chargers’ 1-3-1 zone defense finally take hold.

“Once we got into it, Maddox (May) went back to work, we got our shots falling, Zee (Mounga) was just incredible down the stretch, whether it was contested or open,” Gallagher said.

The Cavaliers, who led by as much as 11 in the opening half, had watched their lead evaporate to 28-26 late in the third quarter.

Roncalli was clinging to a four-point margin in the first minute of the final period when Mounga went off. The senior nailed three straight three-point field goals to spark the closing surge as the Cavaliers pulled away down the stretch.

“He’s always telling me when he’s hot, he’s hot and he’s going to keep shooting it, and he did,” Gallagher said. “He helped us out a lot tonight.”

Mounga banked in his first three-point shot. That proved to be a sign for what would soon take place.

“As soon that went in, I felt it,” Mounga said, admitting he was surprised that the ball caromed off the glass and into the hoop. “I was like, I have to keep going and finish the game strong.”

Soon Mounga splashed two more treys and the Cavaliers were back in control.

“I just got in the zone and it fell in,” Mounga said of his nine fourth-quarter points.

While he enjoyed playing a major role in the win, he said the night was special for everyone.

“It felt good for all of us, because we haven’t been doing as well,” Mounga said, “but today was a huge night for us getting the ‘W.’ “

Meanwhile, the Chargers were coming up empty on a wide variety of attempts. They had inside chances and outside looks, but could not get shots to fall.

“We just didn’t make enough shots. I thought we got good shots and we just didn’t make them,” said Sully Buttes coach Brian White. “That’s basketball. That’s part of the game.”

May finished with 14 points to lead three Cavaliers in double figures. Mounga followed with 13 and Keegan Stewart contributed 10.

As a result, Gallagher recorded his initial win as a head coach.

He said the outcome felt good.

“It does, but it’s also just as a team our first win and hopefully one of many,” Gallagher said. “We’re just going to build off that. That’s what I’m most happy about.”

Landon Hepker poured in a game-high 17 points for the Chargers.

White said while his team has struggled on offense, it will get better as the year goes on.

“That’s kind of been a struggle this year is just making shots. As we progress I think we’ll get better,” White said. “As our offense gets better I think well become a much better team.”

Roncalli will be right back in action this evening with a road game against Northwestern.

“They’re fast, they’re physical,” Gallagher said, “similar to Sully Buttes.”

SULLY BUTTES: Marshall Wittler 2 1-2 5, Landon Hepker 6 4-7 17, Dwight Kinney 1 0-2 2, Jesse Schall 3 0-0 6, Trevor Marshall 2 0-0 5, Thomas Farris 1 0-0 2. Totals 15 5-11 37.

ABERDEEN RONCALLI: Maddox Miller 1 1-2 3, Zee Mounga 5 0-0 13, Caden Shelton 1 0-0 2, Keegan Stewart 3 2-2 10, Maddox May 7 0-0 14, Darwin gambler 2 0-0 5, Aiden Fishe 2 0-0 5, Zane Backous 1 2-2 4. Totals 22 5-6 56.

Sully Buttes 11 21 26 37

Aberdeen Roncalli 13 28 33 56

3-point field goals – Hepker, Marshall; Mounga 3, Stewart 2, Gambler, Fisher. Total fouls – Sully Buttes 12; Aberdeen Roncalli 15.