The Deuel Cardinals wanted to send a message with their defense in the second half and it came through loud and clear Thursday night at the Roncalli Gym.

Trailing by one point at halftime, Deuel converted back-to-back turnovers into layups to start the third quarter and spark a spirited defensive effort on the way to a 65-48 Northeast Conference boys’ basketball win over Aberdeen Roncalli.

“At halftime we refocused and talked about our defense. That’s been our constant all season long and I’m proud of the boys and how they responded,” said Deuel coach Jon Peterreins. “We know that Roncalli has some shooters and (Maddox Miller) and (Aiden Fisher) got loose and they can shoot it. In the second half we clamped down and communicated better.”

While the Deuel defense picked up, so did the offense of Trey Maaland, who scored 15 second-half points on the way to a game-high total of 23. Maaland said it was the defense that eventually led to the offensive production, pointing out the strategy discussed at halftime.

“We said we have to play solid D and then the offense will come,” Maaland said. “So that’s what we really tried to do. We just tried to stay solid on defense and then the shots came.”

The Cardinals gradually pulled away, erasing a strong first-half performance by the Cavaliers.

Fisher scored Roncalli’s first eight points of the night to get the squad going.

“Aiden started out the game great with those two threes and then a little runner in the lane,” said Roncalli coach Dan Gallagher. “It was full team effort with guys moving the basketball. I thought this was the best we’ve passed in a while.”

However, it was the Cardinals who put on a passing exhibition in the final two quarters, repeatedly finding guys in the lane for high-percentage shots or passing it out for open perimeter attempts.

“When you’re playing up against a great team like that, it’s tough, because you think you have a stop and then all of sudden they dump it down to a guy and we’re like where did he come from?” Gallagher said. “I thought we passed well and then I go back and think about all the dump downs that they had inside the lane that led to two points or three points. They move the ball so well.”

Part of that comes from experience as the Cardinals have 10 seniors on their roster who understand their roles and provide crucial leadership.

“With 10 seniors comes a lot of leadership and a lot of expectation,” Peterreins said. “I challenge the guys to be that player-led team. A coach-led team, we’re going to be good, but if we want to be great, they have to take ownership and they have done that, and I’m super proud of them.”

It was senior Braydon Simon who got into the lane repeatedly in the second half to create scoring chances for his teammates.

“We just have a great group of guys. Everybody plays their role,” Maaland said. “Braydon does an awesome job of penetrating and dishing. It all just kind of clicked the second half.”

Simon added 12 points to the Deuel total and grabbed seven rebounds. Gavin Benck followed with nine points and Owen Quail added eight.

Fisher topped the Cavaliers with 12 points, while Miller and Maddox May each contributed eight.

The game marked the final home contest for a group of Roncalli seniors, including starters May and Jayden Munroe.

“I’m just really happy with those guys,” Gallagher said of his seniors. “They’ve done a great job all season.”

Roncalli (9-11) will not play again until the Region 1A tournament early next month. Gallagher said the team will use the off time to prepare for the post season.

“We’re going back to day one,” he said, “figure out the things that we need to clean up.”

DEUEL (11-6): Trey Maaland 6 6-6 23, Braydon Simon 5 2-4 12, Owen Quail 4 0-0 8, Gavin Benck 4 1-2 9, Ronnie Begalka 2 0-0 4, Dravyn Carlson 1 0-0 3, Carter Leddy 3 0-0 6. Totals 25-52 9-12 65.

ABERDEEN RONCALLI (9-11): Maddox Miller 3 0-0 8, Caden Shelton 2 0-0 4, Aiden Fisher 5 0-1 12, Jayden Munroe 1 3-4 5, Maddox May 3 2-4 8, Darwin Gambler 1 2-4 4, Keegan Stewart 1 0-0 2, Zane Backous 2 1-1 5. Totals 18-43 8-14 48.

Deuel 16 29 50 65

Aberdeen Roncalli 15 30 40 48

3-point field goals – Maaland 5, Carlson; Miller 2, Fisher 2. Total fouls – Deuel 16; Aberdeen Roncalli 16. Rebounds – Deuel 29 (Simon 7); Aberdeen Roncalli 25 (Miller 5, Munroe 5, Fisher 5). Turnovers – Deuel 10; Aberdeen Roncalli 13.