The St. Anthony Bulldogs used the middle two quarters to build a lead Saturday afternoon and went on to defeat Nokomis 43-30.

It was one of the games in the National Trail Conference/Central Illinois Conference Challenge. The games were played at Warrrensburg-Latham.

The Redskins, who entered riding a three-game winning streak, matched SAHS in the opening quarter, which ended in a 9-9 tie. But the Bulldogs started building their lead in the second period. Nick Ruholl knocked down a three-pointer, as they took a 22-15 lead at halftime.

In the third period, Ryan Schmidt made 5-of-6 free throws and Brock Fearday added four points and the Bulldogs expanded their lead to 34-20 heading into the final eight minutes.

Schmidt led all scorers in the game with 17 points and Fearday added eight.

The Bulldogs, the No. 1-ranked team in Class 1A, improved to 26-4 on the season. They will play their regular season finale Tuesday night at home against Altamont. St. Anthony has a perfect 7-0 record in the NTC and can clinch the season championship with a victory at The Enlow Center.