The Aces got two buckets from Carter Scoggins and another by Tucker Johnson to get the lead to single digits, 23-14, but that didn’t last long. The Bulldogs responded with an 18-4 run to expand the margin to 23 points, 41-18. Brock Fearday had another three and eight more points, as SAHS took a comfortable 43-21 cushion to the locker room at halftime.

“I wanted to see us apply pressure and create turnovers on defense and execute on offense,” Rincker noted. “We moved the ball and were disciplined on the offensive end. I wanted to see a flow to our game and I thought we did that. I thought our top group played to our level and not to our opponent’s.”

Reserves played a majority of the second half, although the starters did see some action. The lead fluctuated between 22 and 25 points through most of the third quarter, but when Colton Fearday hit a short jumper and freshman Ryan Schmidt turned in a three-point play, the Bulldogs lead reached 30 points, 59-29.

Mulberry Grove’s starters did make up some ground against the SAHS reserves from that point on, but the outcome was well in hand.

The Aces, who finished their season at 4-18, had three players in double figures – Daustin Steiner 18, Scoggins 12 and Johnson 10.

Croy finished with a game-high 23 points to pace the Bulldogs scoring attack, while Brock Fearday finished with 16. St. Anthony shot 51 percent for the game, connecting on 25-of-49 attempts. They were 5-for-18 from behind the arc and 16-for-25 at the foul line. Croy also pulled down a game-high seven rebounds, helping the Bulldogs to a 25-19 advantage on the boards.

The Bulldogs, winners of five straight, improved to 19-12 and advanced to the regional semifinals. They will face Christ Our Rock Lutheran Wednesday night. That game will be played at 6 p.m. in Patoka. Carlyle (No. 3) and Nokomis (No. 8) will then play at 7:30 p.m. and the two winners will meet at 7 p.m. Friday for the regional championship.

“Things will get tougher from here,” Rincker said. “We’ll get back to work next week. We need to sharpen a few things up. Now we’re in the ‘one-game-at-a-time’ mentality. This is the postseason.”