IPSWICH – Aberdeen Christian overcame an early deficit and 13 Ipswich 3-pointers for a 67-63 Lake Region Conference boys’ basketball win on Tuesday night. It was the eighth straight victory for the Knights.

Ipswich scored the first eight points of the contest, thanks in part to a pair of 3-pointers by Jace Konsor, putting the Knights in an early hole. However, Aberdeen Christian responded with a 17-3 run to end the quarter.

Knights coach Aaron Moeller was pleased with the way his team handled the early deficit.

“I was extremely proud of our boys in that first quarter when we got down 8-0,” Moeller said. “We showed a lot of poise, we didn’t panic, we stuck to the script. At the beginning of the year, that’s where we would have started taking quick shots, but we didn’t do that. We continued to work the ball around, work the ball inside, and of course, we climbed right back into the game.”

Throughout the game, the Knights defense, which had held its last seven opponents to 37 points or less, was put under constant pressure thanks to the Tigers’ shooting efforts. Moeller gave credit to the Ipswich shooters for forcing the Knights defense into difficult situations.

“They’re extremely well-coached. They were kind of prepared for our defense,” Moeller said. “And then they hit some big shots. So, credit to them, they’ve got some great shooters. (Trevor) Heinz and Konsor can really light it up, so if you’re a fan of the 3-point shot, those two guys did not disappoint tonight.”

The Tigers shooting pulled them closer throughout the second half, but Aberdeen Christian finished the game at the free-throw line, sealing the game with clutch free throws in the final minutes.

“The only thing I can say is the boys really rose to the occasion,” Moeller said. “To show some poise, some maturity, with the game on the line, hit some clutch free throws, really extremely proud of the team.”

Konsor led Ipswich with 24 points on eight 3-pointers, while Chet Peterson recorded 12 points. Heinz finished with 10 points. The Tigers (11-6) will host Potter County on Feb. 15.

For Aberdeen Christian (9-4), Becker Bosma led with 24 points, including five 3-pointers, while Joey Johnson had 18 points. Brooks Jett and Ellis Russell contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Knights host Aberdeen Roncalli on Thursday, and Moeller expects it to be an exciting game.

“It’s going to be a tough game for us; again, a team that’s always well-prepared. Coach (Dan) Gallagher does a great job with those guys,” Moeller said. “We are absolutely going to have our hands full with those guys on Thursday night, and it’s a rivalry game too, so there’s a little bit extra energy and emotion in the building. I think the Civic Arena is going to be rocking on Thursday night and it’s going to be a really electric atmosphere.” 

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (9-4): Ellis Russell 4 2-2 10, Becker Bosma 9 1-2 24, Konnar Furman 2 0-0 4, Brooks Jett 5 1-2 11, Joey Johnson 6 6-6 18. Totals 26 10-12 67.

IPSWICH (11-6): Xavier Kadlec 2 0-0 4, Chet Peterson 5 1-1 12, Jace Konsor 8 0-0 24, Kyle Hettich 3 0-0 7, Trevor Heinz 3 1-2 10, Tucker Kadlec 3 0-0 6. Totals 24 2-3 63.

Aberdeen Christian 17 34 49 67

Ipswich 11 25 41 63

3-point field goals – Bosma (5); Konsor (8), Heinz (3), Peterson, Hettich. Total fouls – Aberdeen Christian 8; Ipswich 10. Rebounds – Aberdeen Christian 29 (Johnson 7); Ipswich 21 (Peterson 7). Turnovers – Aberdeen Christian 11; Ipswich 12. Assists – Aberdeen Christian 14 (Russell 7); Ipswich 18 (Konsor 7). Blocked shots – Aberdeen Christian 1 (Johnson); Ipswich 2 (X. Kadlec, Peterson). Steals – Aberdeen Chrisian 8 (Bosma 4); Ipswich 4 (Peterson 2).