ABERDEEN — The fourth-seeded Wessington Springs Spartans had lost only one game all season entering the state tourney, an early-season loss to the Howard Tigers. With an opportunity to avenge the loss, the Spartans instead were shell-shocked by a Howard team that played lights-out in the first half to come away with a 53-38 victory Thursday in Aberdeen.

Expecting a rough, hard-fought game like their first matchup, the Wessington Spartans were surprised when Howard came out firing, with Luke Koepsell knocking down a three to open scoring.

Spartans' forward Brock Krueger hit a basket to make it 3-2, but Luke Koepsell hit two more baskets to quickly jump the Tigers out to a 7-2 lead.

By the time 6'8" senior Kolt Koepsell nailed a three to close out the first quarter, he and his brother had combined for all 21 of Howard's points as they streaked out to a 21-8 lead over the Spartans.

Ryder Michalek opened the second quarter for Springs with a three, and the Spartans clawed back within 10 after a three from Parker Graff cut it to 26-16.

Howard clamped down defensively the final 5:19 of the first half, allowing just three points the rest of the way, as a jumper by Kolt Koepsell at the halftime buzzer made it 34-19 Howard heading into the break. Kolt and Luke Koepsell combined for 26 of Howard's 34 points at half.

The second half became the defensive-focused game that the Spartans expected from the opening tip, and they attacked the hoop in a manner that led to multiple shots from short distance, but they would not fall, so Springs could not cut into the lead.

The Howard defense kept Wessington Springs from hitting a field goal over the last 4:20 of the game to close out a 53-38 victory.

Howard moved to 21-3 with the win behind 20 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and five blocks from Kolt Koepsell.
Luke Koepsell added 17 points.

The Spartans fall to 22-2, both losses on the year coming at the hands of Howard. Graff netted 14 points to lead Springs, while Michalek finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Springs will face off with Viborg-Hurley in the first game of the afternoon session Friday. Howard moves on to a showdown with top-seeded White River Friday evening.

Howard 21 34 41 53
Wessington Springs 8 19 28 38

Howard (21-3): Carson Hinker 4 0-1 9, Logan Mentele 1 1-2 4, Taiden Hoyer 0 0-4 0, Luke Koepsell 7 2-4 17, Kolt Koepsell 8 3-3 20, Austin Severson 1 0-0 3. Totals: 21 6-14 53.

Wessington Springs (22-2): Blake Larson 1 2-4 4, Parker Graff 6 0-0 14, Brock Krueger 3 0-0 6, Colby Flowers 2 0-0 4, Ryder Michalek 2 5-6 10. Totals: 14 7-10 38.

FG: H - 21/41 51%; WS - 14/45 31%. 3-pt FG: H 5/13 (Mentele, LKoepsell, KKoepsell, Hinker, Severson), WS 3/15 (Graff 2, Michalek). Rebounds: H 30 (KKoepsell 14), WS 23 (Michalek 7). Assists: H 12 (KKoepsell 4), WS 6 (BLarson 3). Steals: H 5 (Hinker 2), WS 6 (BLarson, Michalek 2). Turnovers: H 14, WS 12. Blocks: H 6 (KKoepsell 5), WS 2 (Graff, Krueger). Fouls: H 15, WS 13 (CFlowers out).