The St. Anthony Bulldogs’ 20th win of the season was an impressive one.
The state’s top-ranked Class 1A team posted an 81-75 victory at home Saturday over St. Joe-Ogden.
The Spartans’ Tanner Jacob scored 10 of his 27 points in the opening eight minutes, helping the guests build a 23-14 lead. But the Bulldogs came alive in the second quarter. Brady Hatton and Collin Westendorf both scored eight points, igniting a 25-11 scoring surge that put St. Anthony on top, 39-34, as the two teams headed to the locker room at intermission.
The game remained close throughout the second half. The hosts led 55-46 heading into the fourth quarter and then converted 21-of-22 free throws in the final eight minutes to secure the win. Brock Fearday went 6-for-6 and Nick Ruholl was 4-for-4 from the line and Westendorf knocked down 9-of-10 free throws to help the Bulldogs maintain their lead.
Westendorf scored a game-high 30 points, with 14 of those coming in the fourth quarter. Fearday had 16 and Hatton added 12.
The Bulldogs improved to 20-4 on the season. Their next game will be in the National Trail Conference Tournament. They will face either Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City or Neoga at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. The tournament is played at Altamont High School.
