WAVERLY – Waverly-South Shore jammed the ball inside to get a lead, then made free throws down the stretch to preserve it in a win over Aberdeen Christian Thursday night.

The Coyotes, who have now won the last three games against Christian, played with a double-digit advantage for most of the second half on the way to a 45-42 non-conference boys’ basketball win.

“Slow-paced physical game. Had a region atmosphere to it,” said Christian coach Matt Rohrbach. “We let some inexperience show.”

Leading by just one point at the break, Waverly-South Shore consistently got into the lane as the hosts built a 32-22 lead with 6:54 remaining in the contest.

“They were more physical,” Rohrbach said, “and in a gym like that it’s very important to be that aggressor.”

Once the Coyotes owned the lead, they made seven free throws in the closing minutes to stay on top.

Christian never quit, eventually cutting a 10-point deficit down to the final margin on a 3-pointer with four seconds left.

Sam Appelhof finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds to power Waverly-South Shore. Zach Ries contributed 15 points. The Coyotes will host unbeaten Leola-Frederick on Saturday.

Brooks Jett topped Christian with 17 points and Luke Kaiser followed with 11.

The Knights, 4-2, host Wolsey-Wessington on Tuesday at the Aberdeen Civic Arena.

“Frustrating yes,” Rohrbach said following the setback, “but our goals are still in front of us and we have all the pieces to put it all together.”

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (4-2): Brooks Jett 6 3-6 17, Luke Kaiser 4 0-2 11, Grady Jett 2 1-2 5, Dylan Hofer 1 0-2 2, Ellis Russell 2 0-0 4, Jett Johnson 1 0-0 3. Totals 16 4-12 42.

WAVERLY-SOUTH SHORE (2-4): Colton Kranz 0 0-6 0, Brady Eschen 2 1-5 5, Zach Ries 5 4-6 15, Sam Appelhof 4 9-11 17, Bryan Ramirez 2 1-4 5, Kyle Kneeland 1 0-0 3. Totals 14 15-32 45.

Aberdeen Christan 9 17 22 42

Waverly-South Shore 8 17 30 45

3-point field goals – B. Jett 2, Kaiser 3, Johnson; Ries, Kneeland. Rebounds – Aberdeen Christian 25 (B. Jett 7, Russell 5); Waverly-South Shore 30 (Appelhof 10). Turnovers – Aberdeen Christian 20; Waverly-South Shore 11. Assists – Aberdeen Christian 7. Steals – Aberdeen Christian 10 (Hofer 6).