MADISON – A strong fourth quarter could not undo a rough third quarter for Aberdeen Roncalli Saturday afteroon.

The Cavaliers fought back from a double-digit deficit before being turned away by Lennox 57-47 during the boys’ Dak XII-NEC Clash at Madison.

“We just gotta play a complete game,” said Roncalli coach Dan Gallagher. “We kind of had our struggles in the third quarter, just missing some bunnies, giving up some offensive rebounds, things like that you can clean up. It changes the outcome of the game.”

Roncalli, which trailed by a 31-20 margin at the half, was staring at a 42-25 deficit late in the third period. The Orioles were able to get out in transition to help gain separation.

“There was a couple where I thought we did a good job getting back in transition, slowed them down, maybe forced a turnover, at least made them slow it down, play a possession,” Gallagher said, “but other times, especially that third quarter, they had six transition points. One where we had all five guys back, but didn’t stop the ball.”

However, the Cavaliers never quit. They chipped away at the deficit and eventually pulled to within 50-46 on a Brody Weinmeister drive with 2:04 remaining.

“There is no quit in them. … Guys never put their heads down,” Gallagher said. “They just kept battling.”

But that’s where the rally stopped as Lennox outscored the Cavaliers 7-1 the rest of the way, making 7 of 8 free throws to seal the victory. The Orioles outscored Roncalli 17-1 from the charity stripe in the contest.

“They definitely got to the lane, the fourth quarter obviously we had to foul, but at the same time, they got in the lane and did a good job of going up through contact,” Gallagher said. “When we got to the lane we kind of threw it up or avoided the contact at times. Something we keep working on, finishing through contact. If we get to the foul line, that’s a bonus for us. We just have to make sure we’re being physical getting in the paint a little more often.”

The Cavaliers, who had 13 3-pointers on Thursday, continued to shoot well from the perimeter with eight more 3’s against Lennox.

“We were able to get some player screens and slips to the perimeter that opened up a lot for us,” Gallagher said, “but we still want to make sure that we’re building that inside presence, especially with those two 6-7 guys, we want to make sure that we’re getting the inside touches when they’re available.”

Jesse Hernandez and Aiden Fisher each scored 12 points for the Cavaliers, while Sam Franks added nine.

Tate Gerdes had a game-high 18 points for Lennox.

Roncalli, 6-7 on the season, hosts Groton Tuesday night at Roncalli Gym.

“It’s going to be a fun one,” Gallagher said. “It’s going to be a good atmosphere.”

ABERDEEN RONCALLI (6-7): Jesse Hernandez 4 0-0 12, Aiden Fisher 5 0-0 12, Parker Grieben 2 0-0 4, Brody Weinmeister 2 0-2 4, Sam Franks 3 1-4 9, Cam Olson 2 0-0 4, Bryson Olson 1 0-0 2. Totals 19-47 1-6 47.

LENNOX (9-4): Tate Gerdes 5 8-10 18, Aiden Hanssen 2 1-4 6, Teegan Musser 2 6-6 10, Boston Katzer 3 2-3 8, Layton Smith 2 0-0 4, Drake Mikkelsen 1 0-0 2, Talen Eich 3 0-0 9. Totals 18-45 17-23 57.

Aberdeen Roncalli 10 20 27 47

Lennox 16 31 42 57

3-point field goals – Hernandez 4, Fisher 2, Franks 2; Hannsen, Eich 3. Fouled out – C. Olson. Total fouls – Aberdeen Roncalli 15; Lennox 10. Turnovers – Aberdeen Roncalli 13; Lennox 14.