WEBSTER – Aberdeen Roncalli got out in transition, pushed the tempo, and produced a season-high point total on Friday night.

The Cavaliers exploded for 48 first-half points on the way to a 72-32 Northeast Conference boys’ basketball win over Webster.

“We made sure to push the tempo,” said Roncalli coach Dan Gallagher. “We made sure that if they score, we’re still going to get the ball out, we’re going to push, we’re going to go.”

The strategy worked to perfection in multiple ways. It allowed Roncalli to use its quality depth as the Cavaliers received 25 points off the bench.

“With the tempo we played with, it created a lot of good looks for a lot of different guys,” Gallagher said. “When you play that fast, you’re going to get guys tired, but when you have guys that can come off the bench like Sam Larson, Cam Olson, Bryson Olson, that can knock down some shots, it’s huge.”

The other thing is that the pace exposed a lack of depth for the Bearcats, who were missing multiple starters on the evening.

“The injury bug has definltey hit those guys hard,” Gallagher said. “It’s unfortunate for them.”

Roncalli was able to find open looks on the perimeter and nailed nine 3-pointers, which is eight more than it had in a game at Parkston on Tuesday.

“It’s a confidence booster for sure, too. Especially after last game, only one 3, that’s tough,” Gallagher said. “Coming into today, just kind of reminding our shooters, we trust them. We’ve got good shooters. We have all the confidence in the world with them, and they shot with confidence today which is key for any good shooter.”

The Cavaliers were also able to work the ball inside where Aiden Fisher spotted Parker Grieben for high-percentage shots.

“Early in the second quarter, I thought we did a good job of getting the ball inside,” Gallagher said. “The second half, Aiden getting Parker involved on the pick and roll … really good two-man game action.”

Sam Franks led a balanced attack for Roncalli with 16 points. Jesse Hernandez followed with 13 on the strength of four three-point field goals. Larson added nine points, Fisher and Cam Olson each finished with eight, and Grieben had six.

Ian Lesnar’s eight points topped Webster.

Roncalli, 3-3 on the season, hosts Aberdeen Christian on Tuesday night at Roncalli Gym.

The game is always an interesting one in the fact that the schools coop in football and Gallagher has coached many members on both squads as defensive coordinator.

“It’s fun, but when the ball goes up for the tip, it’s competition,” Gallagher said. “Both teams are going to compete against each other. Both teams want to win.”

ABERDEEN RONCALLI (3-3): Jesse Hernandez 4 1-2 13, Aiden Fisher 3 1-2 8, Sam Franks 6 2-2 16, Brody Weinmeister 2 0-2 4, Parker Grieben 3 0-0 6, Cam Olson 4 0-3 8, Sam Larson 3 2-2 9, Austin Fisher 1 0-0 3, Bryson Olson 1 0-0 2, Jackson Lewno 1 0-0 2, Tom Niederbaumer 0 1-2 1. Totals 28 7-12 72.

WEBSTER (1-5): Tate Mammenga 1 0-0 3, Ian Lesnar 3 2-5 8, Jack Shoemaker 2 2-2 6, Seth Lesnar 0 2-2 2, McKoy Pereboom 0 4-4 4, Michael Dorsett 1 0-0 3, Blaize Amdahl 2 0-0 6. Totals 9 10-13 32.

Aberdeen Roncalli 19 48 68 72

Webster 8 21 26 32

3-point field goals – Hernandez 4, Aiden Fisher, Franks 2, Larson, Austin Fisher; Mammenga, Dorsett, Amdahl 2. Total fouls – Aberdeen Roncalli 13; Webster 12. Rebounds – Aberdeen Roncalli 34; Webster 24 (S. Lesnar 8). Turnovers – Aberdeen Roncalli 7; Webster 15.