MILBANK – A sparse second half on the offensive end of the floor for Aberdeen Roncalli provided Milbank with an opportunity, and the Bulldogs seized it, snagging a 48-38 Northeast Conference boys’ basketball victory Friday evening.

Roncalli held a 22-19 lead at the end of the first half, but struggled to score in the second half, managing just 16 points in the final two quarters.

Milbank, meanwhile, was enough more efficient in the second half to erase its deficit and pull away down the stretch.

“We really struggled to get shots to fall,” said Roncalli coach Dan Gallagher. “They played solid defense and made us play outside of our comfort zone a little bit.”

Milbank hit seven 3-pointers in its win, an effort led by Sam Rick, who hit three treys and finished with a game-best 18 points. 

The Bulldogs also held the edge on the boards, as 6-foot-4 senior center Emmett Hanson gathered up 15 boards. That, Gallagher said, also proved problematic for the Cavaliers.

“Milbank got quite a few offensive boards and were able to convert them on second-chance points, and we just struggled with forcing them into difficult possessions,” Gallagher said. “We didn’t force them into turnovers like we wanted to.”

Sam Franks led the Cavaliers with 13 points. Jesse Hernandez added seven, and Aiden Fisher finished with six.

Roncalli, 6-9 on the season, will look to break its recent three-game slide Tuesday when it hosts second-rated Hamlin at Roncalli Gym.

Milbank, also 6-9, is set to host Sisseton on Tuesday.

ABERDEEN RONCALLI (6-9): Jesse Hernandez 3 0-0 7, Aiden Fisher 3 0-0 6, Sam Franks 6 1-2 13, Brody Weinmeister 2 0-0 5, Parker Grieben 2 0-0 4, Cam Olson 1 1-4 3. Totals 17-40 2-6 38.

MILBANK (6-9): Sam Rick 6 3-4 18, Graham Lightfield 3 0-0 8, Bryan Meyer 2 3-5 9, Jack Howard 1 1-2 3, Emmett Hanson 4 0-0 8, Ryan Keeton 0 2-2 2. Totals 16-46 9-13 48.

Aberdeen Roncalli 11 22 29 38

Milbank 9 19 31 48

3-point field goals – Hernandez, Weinmeister; Rick 3, Lightfield 2, Meyer 2. Fouls – Aberdeen Roncalli 16; Milbank 14. Rebounds – Aberdeen Roncalli 27 (Fisher 6, Grieben 6); Milbank 26 (Hanson 15). Assists – Aberdeen Roncalli 4 (Fisher 2); Milbank 9 (Lightfield 3). Turnovers – Aberdeen Roncalli 12; Milbank 10. Blocks – Aberdeen Roncalli 3 (Olson 2); Milbank 2 (Hanson 2). Steals – Aberdeen Roncalli 8 (Grieben 3); Milbank 10.