“This game was a great measuring stick for us,” said St. Anthony coach Cody Rincker. “To compete with a team like this tells us we’re doing a lot of good things, even with our injuries. We have guys that aren’t normally in key points of the game that are playing very well. That says a lot about our talent, character and make-up.

“We can learn a lot from this game,” Rincker added. “We need to find a way to execute a little better in tight situations. I’m sure we’ll face more situations like that.”

The game was close throughout. Mater Dei led 12-9 after the first eight minutes and held a 29-25 edge at intermission. It was still a six-point margin, 39-33, as the two teams headed to the fourth quarter.

“Mater Dei plays tremendous defense,” Rincker said. “As we went to the fourth period, I told the team to just trust in what we do. We had to run our offense.”

The Bulldogs followed those instructions, continually pounded the ball inside and the results were successful. Jaccob Dust scored 13 points in the final eight minutes. His three-point play narrowed the gap to 49-48 and with less than a minute to play, he made a pair of free throws that gave St. Anthony a 50-49 advantage.

“We did a better job of letting our offense work,” Rincker noted. “We were able to get Jaccob several touches and he was definitely on his game.”

Both teams missed free throws in the final 30 seconds. But Haake made a foul shot to tie the game. The Bulldogs held the ball for a final shot, but were unable to convert, sending the game to overtime.

Dust finished with a game-high 25 points. Jack Hoene scored 12 and Aaron Webb added 11. It was the first game back for Webb, who is still recovering from a stress fracture in his right foot.

“A carbon fiber insert is allowing him to play,” Rincker explained. “He wears a boot other than when he’s not playing basketball. I thought he played well.”

Point guard Logan Antrim is still out with a hand injury and Kennan Walsh was injured in the second quarter Saturday and didn’t return.

The Bulldogs, who are ranked No. 8 in the Class 1A poll, is now 15-3 overall. They will have two road games this week – Friday at Windsor/Stew-Stras and Saturday at Charleston.

Breese Mater Dei also won the junior varsity game, 32-30. Seth Hotze led the Bulldogs with nine points.