RTR started the second half on a 10-2 run to cut into the Panthers’ 11-point halftime lead, and flustered TMB on a handful of possessions with trapping on its press. Yet, TMB’s late-game ball movement and efficient shooting made the difference down the stretch.

“They [RTR] did a really nice job of pressuring us. Then, Connor [Lanoue] went out, and he’s one of our best ball handlers, so we kind of had to have guys step up,” TMB head coach Ryan Kruse said. “We didn’t do it the best at all the times, but we made enough plays [and] I think when we did break it [the pressure], we made enough shots and hit some big ones to kind of balance the mistakes out. It was OK I would say, but something we can work on.”

Lanoue went down with a lower leg injury on defense with about five minutes to go in the first half. He walked off the court himself gingerly, and did not return to the game.

RTR’s Colten Thomsen had a game-high 23 points on 63% shooting, going 10 of 16 from the field, followed by Gavin Schreurs’ 15 points. Thomsen and Juhl Drake both finished with six rebounds, while Schreurs, Drake and Brayden Nibbe all had a trio of steals.

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton’s Parker Kline brings the ball up the court in the first half.

For the Panthers, Zick led the way with 15 points, and six assists and four steals, while Kruse followed with 11 points on 83% shooting, going 5 for 6. Zick and Kruse also shared a team-high five rebounds, and Aiden Sanow also shared a game-high four steals.

In a relatively low-scoring start to the game amid the competitive atmosphere between the two, Schreurs got the night started with a drive to the basket to which Lanoue responded with a pair of free throws after drawing a foul on a drive.

The Panthers began to build their lead following a Kruse jump shot off the right elbow and grabbing the defensive rebound on the Knights’ next possession, resulting in a feed down to Eli Lightfoot for a down-low jump shot and an 11-4 edge.

Schreurs’ ended the run with a 3-pointer off the right corner, but Lanoue did just the same on the next play from the top of the key.

RTR was able to grab a string of steals after making a habit to trap TMB in a full-court press, although the Panthers kept their lead the rest of the half.

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton’s Colten Thomsen (40) drives to the basket in the first half against Tracy-Milroy-Balaton Tuesday night in Tyler.

Parker Kline was fouled shooting a 3 and hit his trio of free throws, while Zick and Sanow had back-to-back steals and layups to put TMB ahead 26-13.

The Panthers went into halftime with a 30-19 lead, led by Zick’s 6 points and Sanow’s 5. Schreurs led the Knights with 7 first-half points, while Thomsen added another 5.

The Knights fought the entire second half and cut into the Panthers’ lead a handful of times, including their 10-2 run to open the half to trail 32-29 and force an early TMB timeout.

“We went to zone [defense] eventually, and that slowed them [RTR] down a little bit for a while. Then, they kind of did the same thing and still got to the basket. They came out with a nice run and did exactly what they needed to do,” coach Kruse said. “We just were able to take that punch, and then respond and build the lead back up throughout the second half.”

Kruse ended the run out of the timeout with a short jumper and 3-pointer back-to-back, before Schreurs got the hot-hand with a 3-pointer and steal with the fast break layup to keep RTR within reach, down 51-41.

Tracy-Milroy-Balaton’s Griffin Zick (right) dribbles the ball around the perimeter.

Yet, Emery Xiong nailed a 3 of his own to gain some points back as Thomsen did the same for the Knights.

RTR continued to trap TMB after crossing half court with minutes winding down, again forcing a few turnovers. With just under two minutes to go, TMB held a 61-53 lead after Lightfoot grabbed his own rebound for a putback.

Schreurs was fouled going for a steal with RTR in double bonus, and made 1 of 2 free throws to cut into a 61-56 deficit with just over a minute left.

TMB’s ball movement was able to break through the pressure on a few possessions as the Knights began to foul, ultimately leading to the end of the game. RTR had a few open looks from deep on its final possession, but couldn’t quite get the shot to fall as the final buzzer rang.

“I thought eventually once we got the ball down the court, we were able to move the ball around and get good looks,” coach Kruse said. “These guys are unselfish. They’re playing hard and I like the way they’re playing right now.”

Russell-Tyler-Ruthton’s Gavin Schreurs looks to drive the baseline.

Overall, TMB shot 51% from the field, 36% from the perimeter and went 14 for 23 from the charity stripe. RTR shot in 39-19% clips and shot 6 of 16 from the free throw line.

The Panthers gave up 23 turnovers and grabbed 10 steals to the Knights’ 22 turnovers and 12 steals.

TMB entered Tuesday looking to respond off an 81-71 loss to Westbrook-Walnut Grove on Saturday, who previously won three straight prior, while RTR defeated Canby 71-40 on Friday to bounce back from two consecutive losses.

“We played Friday [versus] Minneota, Saturday [against] Westbrook and Tuesday RTR, three good teams, and physical teams all the time,” coach Kruse said. “To win a couple of them was good for us. I feel good about it, but we still got to get better. We get a break here, and then get back to work.”

RTR (2-4) will next play in this weekend’s winter tournament at Southwest Minnesota State University, and will take on Hancock (5-1) on Saturday at 12:45 p.m. in the R/A Facility.

The Panthers (5-2) have the tall task of taking on No. 10 Jackson County Central (5-2) next Wednesday at SMSU at 2 p.m. in the R/A Facility.