SALEM – Aberdeen Christian put together the complete game it was looking forward and won for the 11th straight time with a 73-53 boys’ basketball win over Howard Saturday night.

“We needed a game where we kind of put together a full game,” said Christian coach David Rohrbach.

The Knights took advantage of a zone defense and got its offense going right away in the final game of the DWU Classic.

“I thought the kids moved the ball really well,” Rohrbach said. “We expected them to play zone, which they did a lot of the game. Kaden (Clark) is so effective in a zone. He’s such a good passer. He really finds people.”

Not only did the junior find people, he found his own shot to help the Knights get off to a solid start.

Soon, the three-pointers started coming and Christian was able to open up a double-digit lead.

The Knights exploded for 24 third-quarter points and the Tigers were never able to make a serious challenge.

Christian limited Howard’s Jace Sifore to just three points in the contest. He was the focus of the Knights’ defense and managed to make just one of his 10 shot attempts.

“We wanted to make it has difficult as possible for him. He got some position on us. He missed some shots he’d normally make,” Rohrbach said. “To be fair, he’s not going to have a night like that every night. Our biggest goal was just to make it as difficult on him as possible, constantly sending bodies at him. Hopefully, that had something to do with it a little bit. Credit to our big guys for working so hard.”

Ethan Russell scored 20 points and Malek Wieker 18 to lead the Christian offense. Clark finished with a dozen, and Jackson Isakson added eight.

The Knights finished with 18 assists as a team.

“I thought our guys did a good job of moving the ball, sharing the ball, looking for each other, too,” Rohrbach said.

Kolt Koepsell topped Howard with 18 points. Brayden Hinker and Luke Koepsell each contributed 11.

Christian, 15-2 on the season, plays its final Lake Region Conference game on Tuesday at Langford Area.

“You always have to come ready to go against Langford, especially when you’re at their place,” Rohrbach said.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (15-2): Andrew Brennan 2 0-0 5, Jackson Isakson 3 0-0 8, Ethan Russell 8 2-2 20, Malek Wieker 7 0-0 18, Kaden Clark 6 0-0 12, Abe Holscher 2 0-0 6, Konnar Furman 1 0-0 2, Joey Johnson 1 0-0 2. Totals 30-59 2-2 73.

HOWARD (13-4): Brayden Hinker 4 0-0 11, Luke Koepsell 5 0-0 11, Ryder Erickson 1 1-2 3, Kolt Koepsell 6 6-9 18, Austin Severson 0 2-2 2, Will Maier 1 0-0 3, Taiden Hoyer 0 2-2 2, Jace Sifore 1 1-3 3. Totals 18-49 12-18 53.

Aberdeen Christian 15 32 56 73

Howard 12 22 34 53

3-point field goals – Brennan, Isakson 2, Russell 2, Wieker 4, Holscher 2; Hinker 3, L. Koepsell, Maier. Total fouls – Aberdeen Christian 13; Howard 4. Rebounds – Aberdeen Christian 39 (Russell 8, Wieker 7); Howard 24 (K. Koepsell 6). Turnovers – Aberdeen Christian 11; Howard 8. Assists – Aberdeen Christian 18 (Wieker 5, Clark 5); Howard 10 (Erickson 4). Steals – Aberdeen Christian 6; Howard 9 (K. Koepsell 3).