Playing relentless defense has given the De Smet Bulldogs a chance to defend another state title.

Two-time defending state champion De Smet held Aberdeen Christian to a season low in points during a 46-31 semifinal win during the Class B Boys’ State Basketball Tournament at Wachs Arena Friday night.

The Bulldogs set the tone early on the defensive end and the high powered Christian offense was never able to take off.

“They came out and really got around screens, and really fought hard and quick around them tonight,” said De Smet coach Jeff Gruenhagen of his players. “It was fun to see them getting hands up. They knew how dangerous Aberdeen was from the 3-point line. We were trying to make a point to keep them from getting started out there.”

Mission accomplished on that front as the Knights made a pair of three-point field goals in the opening quarter and none for the rest of the game, ending up 2 for 22 from deep.

“We just help each other off the screens,” said junior guard Kadyn Fast. “De Smet has always been about defense. Defense wins championships.”

The emphasis on defense started long before Friday night in the De Smet culture under legendary coach Marv McCune. The late McCune coached some of the current upperclassmen when they were younger and instilled defensive values that are evident today.

“Every day we practice defense,” said Bulldog junior George Jensen. “We have a sign in our locker room that says defense wins championships and that starts with Marv who always played with defense. I had him as a coach my seventh-grade year.”

With Fast spearheading the defense out front, and Jensen and 6-foot-10 Damon Wilkinson patrolling the inside, points were definitely at a premium for the Knights.

“Just have to give respect where respect is due. Credit De Smet,” said Christian coach Matt Rohrbach. “That Fast kid was in (Malek) Wieker’s shorts all night and did a fantastic job. So it really started with him and then obviously Wilkinson manning the middle.”

The Bulldogs were able to open up a double-digit lead in the opening quarter thanks to points from all five starters.

While Christian stayed in touch in the second period, the margin was 10 at the half.

The Knights took advantage of a De Smet cold spell to slice the deficit down to four points on three different occasions late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, but could never get any closer as the Bulldogs denied nearly any hint of an open opportunity.

“You see in these games quality possessions are so important,” Rohrbach said.

Once the Bulldogs weathered the storm it was just a matter of time before they had a firm grip on another semifinal victory.

By the end of the night, De Smet had held a team averaging nearly 65 points per game to less than half of that total.

“We’re pretty fast paced in practice,” Fast said, “so that helps when we get to games like this.”

Fast and Jensen both finished with 11 points, while Wilkinson and Kasen Janssen each contributed nine. Wilkinson also hauled down 16 rebounds.

The Bulldogs (22-3) will now face Lower Brule in a rematch of last year’s championship game at about 7:45 tonight.

While this year’s squad features many new players, they know all about the De Smet tradition.

“It’s a little bit different from last year, because I had a little playing time last year,” Jensen said. “We played against those guys who won it last year every day in practice, so we know what it takes to get it done and I think we’re ready.”

Wieker topped Christian with nine points, and Ethan Russell finished with eight points and nine rebounds.

“Looking past the Xs and Os, just so proud of the guys and how they fought,” Rohrbach said. “Sometimes in life it’s just not meant to be, but we can hang our hat on the fact that we gave it our all.”

The Knights (22-3) take on White River for third place at 6 this evening.

“We have a lot of bummed players, but you know, it’s better to be a bummed player with a bunch of brothers and family than it is to be a bummed player by yourself,” Rohrbach said. “That’s what you have. A locker room that loves each other and that’s really what we’re happy about.”

De SMET (22-3): Gannon Gruenhagen 2 0-0 6, Kadyn Fast 5 1-2 11, Kasen Janssen 4 0-1 9, George Jensen 4 2-3 11, Damon Wilkinson 2 5-8 9. Totals 17-44 8-14 46.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (22-3): Andrew Brennan 1 0-0 2, Jackson Isakson 2 2-4 6, Ethan Russell 3 1-4 8, Malek Wieker 4 0-0 9, Kaden Clark 3 0-0 6. Totals 13-46 3-8 31.

De Smet 16 27 32 46

Aberdeen Christian 10 17 26 31

3-point field goals – De Smet 4-17 (Gruenhagen 2, Janssen, Jensen); Aberdeen Christian 2-22 (Russell, Wieker). Total fouls – De Smet 12; Aberdeen Christian 16. Rebounds – De Smet 40 (Wilkinson 16, Janssen 9); Aberdeen Christian 28 (Russell 9, Wieker 7). Turnovers – De Smet 7; Aberdeen Christian 5. Assists – De Smet 11 (Janssen 3); Aberdeen Christian 6 (Brennan 2, Clark 2). Blocked shots – De Smet 7 (Jensen 4); Aberdeen Christian 1. Steals – De Smet 3 (Janssen 2); Aberdeen Christian 1.