Emma Buee/MDN Rugby Panther Eli McNeff (32) attempts to shoot the ball, Turtle Mountain Brave defender Wes Davis (53) jumps up to block the shot at the Division A, Region 3 tournament Tuesday, March 11.

The Division A, Region 3 Boys Basketball Tournament had two semifinal games on Tuesday, March 11, at the Minot State University (MSU) Dome with the upper bracket winner the higher seed and the lower bracket winner the underdog.

Des Lacs-Burlington vs. Bottineau

The Des Lacs-Burlington Lakers took on the Bottineau Braves Tuesday, March 11 in the semifinal round of the Region 3A boys basketball tournament. Des Lacs-Burlington, the one seed of the tournament, won 56-40 over Bottineau, the four seed.

The Lakers’ Jace Crocket won the tip off and brought in the first points of the game at the free throw line. The Braves kept the score close with Bud Wilkie scoring almost immediately after the Lakers. Des Lacs-Burlington took the short 12-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was all about the Lakers keeping their steady lead. With the help of Colton Feller and Drew Roedocker, Des Lacs-Burlington was able to maintain a four point lead at halftime.

The Lakers began to build an unstoppable momentum in the final half of the game that eventually led to the 56-40 win.

Des Lacs-Burlington’s shooting efficiency and rebound dominance played a big role in their win. The Lakers collected a total of 33 rebounds compared to Bottineau’s 26 rebounds. Crocket picked up a majority of the rebounds, 11, allowing the Lakers to extend their possessions and end the Braves possessions early.

The Lakers will have to keep up the hard work when they play in the finals against Turtle Mountain, the seven seed of the tournament, who has already upset two teams this week. The winner of the finals match will have its ticket punched to the state tournament. The second place team will play in the state qualifier on March 15 to earn a spot at state

Turtle Mountain vs. Rugby

The Turtle Mountain Braves and the Rugby Panthers both upset higher ranked teams in the quarterfinal round. The two underdogs of the tournament faced off in the semifinals Tuesday, March 11 at the Minot State Dome.

The seventh seed Braves put on a show and out scored the sixth seed Panthers in every quarter of the game to eventually take the 51-37 decisive win.

Both teams greatest strengths are their speed and agility, but Turtle Mountain was putting up shots in almost every possession where Rugby could not. The Braves caused turnover after turnover, not even allowing the Panthers to get close to the basket.

Rugby won the tip off, but quickly lost possession of the ball allowing William Breland to earn the first two points of the game. Turtle Mountain led 21-1 in the first quarter. The Braves were primarily led by Breland with seven points in the first quarter.

Turtle Mountain dominated throughout the game and had built up a 45-19 lead going into the fourth quarter. In the final quarter of the game the Braves sent in a couple of bench players to finish off the game for the win.

The Braves will compete in the finals against the Des Lacs-Burlington Lakers Thursday, March 13. The winner will also win their spot at the state tournament, the loser will compete in the state qualifier March 15 in a second attempt to make it to state.

Rugby and Bottineau will face off in the third place match Thursday, March 13. The winner of the match will get the chance to play in the state qualifier to earn a spot in the state tournament.