ABERDEEN — George Jensen banked in a three-point field goal with one second on the clock Thursday night to push the defending champion De Smet Bulldogs into the championship semifinals, with a 41-38 win over a pesky Gregory Gorilla squad in a quarterfinal matchup at the Class “B” State boys’ basketball tournament at the Barnett Center in Aberdeen.

“George had some big shots, none bigger than that one,” said De Smet coach Jeff Gruenhagen after the nail-biter that moved De Smet one step close to its fourth consecutive Class “B” title, but it was a win that they had to grind out, possession by possession, as the Gorillas gave the Bulldogs all they wanted for all four quarters.

After a first quarter that saw few highlights for the Bulldogs, the second period opened with a 7-0 De Smet run that turned a 9-3 deficit into a 10-9 lead, as Jensen showed his range by knocking down a three-pointer from the top of the key, then Kadyn Fast hit the jets off the wing to get to the hoop for a layup.

But the biggest change in the Bulldogs in the second quarter was a more focused effort on the defensive end of the floor, limiting the Gorillas to one shot, or causing a turnover and transitioning quickly to offense.

Although De Smet didn’t give the lead back after that quick spurt, Gregory didn’t fade away and the Bulldogs took a 23-18 lead to the halftime break.

The Gorillas opened the second quarter with a deuce, but a three pointer, and then one of two from the line by Fast, staked De Smet to a 27-20 lead after two minutes of play.

However, those four points were the only tallies on the De Smet side of the scoreboard, as Gregory closed the period on an 13-0 run, as five different players scored for the Gorillas.

Just as they did in the second period after a cold first quarter, the Bulldogs came out firing to open the fourth.

The Bulldogs scored the first six points of the quarter as Britt Carlson scored in the lane, Fast hit two free throws and Jensen drained a three from the right wing. Gregory responded with a leaner from Daniel Mitchell but Trace VanRegenmorter responded for De Smet to make it 36-35 for the Bulldogs with three minutes to play. After several defensive stops by both teams, Gregory took the lead with a three pointer from Cruz Klundt with 1:27 to play.

De Smet got a good look, but Jensen’s short jumper rimmed out. Fast, however, jumped the outlet pass for the steal and was fouled going to the basket. He converted both free throws with 1:03 to play.

A VanRegenmorter foul with 45 seconds to play forced Gregory to take the ball out of bounds under its own basket and out of a Gorilla time out, VanRegenmorter stole the inbounds pass.

The Bulldogs burned the clock until Gruenhagen asked for a timeout with 13 seconds to play to set up the final play that saw Jensen hit the game winner.

Both Jensen and Fast scored 14 points as the Bulldogs improve to 21-3 and move into tonight’s semifinals against Castlewood. Jensen also claimed six rebounds in the contest.

For Gregory, the Gorillas fall to 19-5 and will take on  Leola/Frederick in the consolation round this afternoon. Klundt scored 13 points and was the only Gregory player to dent double figures.

Gregory 9 18 33 38
De Smet 3 23 27 41

GREGORY (19-5): Noah Bearshield 2 0-0 4; Cruz Klundt 5 1-2 13; Daniel Mitchell 4 0-0 9; Jackson Bohlander 1 0-0 2; Rane Kenzy 1 2-2 4; Lincoln Juracek 1 0-0 2; Cole Serr 1 0-0 2; Colt Keiser 1 0-0 2. Totals: 16 3-4 38.

DE SMET (21-3): Tom Aughenbaugh 2 0-0 4; Trace VanRegenmorter 1 0-0 2; Kadyn Fast 4 5-6 14; Britt Carlson 3 1-2 7; George Jensen 5 0-0 14. Totals: 15 6-8 41.

FG: G - 16-39 41%; D - 15-43 35%. 3pt FG: G - 3-13 (Klundt 2, Mitchell); D - 5-14 (Jensen 4, Fast). Rebounds: G - 27 (Mitchell 7); D - 24 (Jensen 6). TO: G - 11; D - 5. Assists: G - 6; De Smet 6. Fouls: G - 17; D - 10.