In a classic matchup between speed vs. size, Wall made just enough plays to secure a win over De Smet Thursday night at Wachs Arena.

The sixth-seeded Eagles overcame a five-point fourth quarter deficit to take down the Bulldogs 60-57 in the opening round of the State B Boys’ Basketball Tournament.

The win foiled a monumental effort from De Smet’s Grant Wilkinson, who finished with 40 points and 19 rebounds.

“It was just a great overall team win. It’s very challenging to stop that guy down low. He played a great game, but our boys just have grit. Nothing phases them,” said Wall coach Ryan Kjerstad. “It’s just that maturity, that winning mentality, and it came through again.”

Trailing 55-53 with just over three minutes remaining, Wall scored five unanswered points, all by Teelan Kjerstad, who nailed a 3-pointer and then knocked down a foul-line jumper. After Wilkinson’s final basket, Kjerstad then helped to ice the win with a pair of free throws with three seconds left.

“I do this stuff every day at practice so just have confidence in every shot I take and knowing it’s going to go in, especially in those clutch moments,” the junior said. “It felt good to come out with a win today.”

While Wilkinson was dominant in the lane all night, the Bulldogs were not able to supply much help from the perimeter, managing just one three-pointer in the contest.

“We needed a perimeter one to go, just one of our guys to see one go in,” said De Smet coach Jeff Gruenhagen. “I think that would have really changed things, and opened up a little bit more lane for us.”

Of course, the Eagles had something to do with De Smet’s lack of production from the outside.

“I think we let them push us back a little bit too far, handling the ball on the perimeter. We weren’t willing passers to get it a little more side to side,” Gruenhagen said. “Grant did a great job just catching a lot of passes. We know that we can get it up to him and he can finish those. We’d a liked one more to get in to keep the lead at the end. It would have been nice in that situation.”

Wilkinson is used to facing multiple defenders every time he touches the ball. He knows to be aware of passes when teammates drive to the basket.

“It’s pretty tough, but my teammates have been used to it. It’s happened every game of the year,” Wilkinson said. “My team knows how to drive and dump down to me. We’ve gotten good at that over the year.”

And once Wilkinson catches the ball, there is little that can be done to stop the 6-foot-10 senior.

“There’s nothing you can do. You just have to hope he misses,” Teelan Kjerstad said. “If he does miss you have to hope he doesn’t get a second-chance opportunity.”

While Wilkinson was doing business inside, the Eagles were forcing the issue in transition when they had the ball. Wall raced out to an 11-point lead in the opening quarter using its speed to beat the Bulldogs down the floor.

“They were sending one or two guys down the court,” Wilkinson said. “It’s hard to get back on that when we’re trying to get rebounds and stuff. That was a game-changer.”

Wall’s lead did not last too long as the Bulldogs fought back and eventually grabbed a lead in the second half.

“I’ve watched too many of their games to know that’s not going to be the final say,” coach Kjerstad said. “They battle.”

It was Kjerstad that scored 18 of his 31 points in the second half that helped to propel the Eagles to the victory.

“I put all the work in the off season,” he said. “It means everything to me to see it show out in a state tournament this year.”

De Smet, 19-5, must now regroup to face Sully Buttes at 12:45 this afternoon in consolation action.

“It’s going to be tough to come back (Friday) and go at the afternoon game on a short night, short scout type thing,” Gruenhagen said, “but we’ll rise to the occasion and another opportunity to play a really good team and come back and get after it.”

The Bulldogs must now readjust their pre-tournament goals.

“I just came here to win and we didn’t get that accomplished,” Wilkinson said, “so I guess the goal is fifth place now.”

Wall will square off against Freeman in the semifinals at 6:45 tonight. It will be a matchup of schools that won state football championships last fall.

It will also be a rematch of last year’s fifth place game won by Wall, and also a contest that took place in Mitchell during the regular season won by Freeman.

“We found out in the Corn Palace that they’re not the Freeman of last year in the consolation championship,” coach Kjerstad said. “It will be a fun game. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The coach said the two teams play a very similar style.

“We’ve just got to execute, play good defense,” coach Kjerstad said. “I would say of all the teams here, they’re about as comparable to us as any as far as style of play. It will be a fun game.”

WALL (20-4): Emmet Dinger 4 0-0 10, Dawson Handcock 3 0-0 6, Jace Mohr 1 4-6 6, Teelan Kjerstad 10 9-9 31, Trevor Schulz 1 0-0 3, Carter Sundall 2 0-0 4. Totals 21-48 13-15 60.

De SMET (19-5): Noah Leuthmers 4 2-2 11, Slayten Wilkinson 1 0-0 2, Kolby Sinclair 2 0-0 4, Grant Wilkinson 17 6-8 40. Totals 24-62 8-10 57.

Wall 20 31 45 60

De Smet 11 30 49 57

3-point field goals – Dinger 2, Kjerstad 2, Schulz; Leuthmers. Total fouls – Wall 14; De Smet 14. Rebounds – Wall 25 (Mohr 5, Younger Amiotte 5); De Smet 41 (G. Wilkinson 19). Turnovers – Wall 9; De Smet 12. Assists – Wall 8 (Mohr 3, Schulz 2, Amiotte 2); De Smet 11 (S. Wilkinson 6). Blocked shots – Wall 2; De Smet 3 (G. Wilkinson 3). Steals – Wall 5 (Mohr 2); De Smet 2.