WAUBAY – Two nights after losing on a half-court shot at the buzzer, Waubay-Summit found a way to defeat Aberdeen Christian in the closing minute Thursday night.

The Mustangs, who have now had six games decided by three points or less this season, made just enough free throws to grab a 43-41 non-conference boys’ basketball win.

“Defensive battle. Hard, fought physical game,” said Christian coach Matt Rohrbach. “I was happy with our composure in a tough environment.”

Both teams had numerous chances to break free from the other. However, both squads struggled at the free-throw stripe. Christian managed to make just 5 of 12 free throws, while the Mustangs managed to make just 3 of 13 foul shots.

Interestingly enough, the contest came down to free throws in the final minute.

The Knights held a 39-38 lead before Dylan Rumpza made a free throw to tie the game with 1:43 left.

Hogan Hlavacek put the hosts in front with a basket with 1:09 left, before Brooks Jett tied the game with a pair of free throws with 54.1 seconds remaining.

From there, Tigh Gaikowski made a free throw with 27.8 seconds left, Christian missed two foul shots, and Traveion Neilan made a free throw with four seconds remaining for a two-point lead. The Knights had a shot to tie the game, but the attempt was off the mark.

“We had chances to go up by 2-3 possessions, but were uable to get a couple shots to fall,” Rohrbach said. “Unfortunately, that is basketball and we need to move forward and continue to take it one day at a time.”

Neilan led the Mustangs with 17 points.

Jett topped Christian with 18 points. Dylan Hofer and Grady Jett each added seven, and Luke Kaiser finished with six.

The Knights, 7-3 on the season, host Herreid-Selby Area on Tuesday.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (7-3): Dylan Hofer 3 1-3 7, Ellis Russell 1 0-0 3, Luke Kaiser 3 0-4 6, Brooks Jett 7 4-5 18, Grady Jett 3 0-0 7. Totals 17 5-12 41.

WAUBAY-SUMMIT (7-6): Dylan Rumpza 2 1-8 6, Tigh Gaikowski 1 1-2 3, Camden Neilan 2 0-1 5, Traveion Neilan 7 1-2 17, Hogan Hlavacek 6 0-0 12. Totals 17 3-13 43.

Aberdeen Christian 13 21 29 41

Waubay-Summit 11 25 31 43

3-point field goals – Russell, G. Jett; Rumpza, C. Neilan, T. Neilan 2. Total fouls – Aberdeen Christian 18; Waubay-Summit 16. Rebounds – Aberdeen Christian 29; Waubay-Summit 21 (Hlavacek 9). Turnovers – Aberdeen Christian 18; Waubay-Summit 11. Assists – Aberdeen Christian 8; Waubay-Summit 10 (Rumpza 4). Steals – Aberdeen Christian 6; Waubay-Summit 10 (C. Neilan 4).