The final moments were tense but the United South Central boys&8217; basketball team was able to pull out a 54-52 victory over Stewartville, Friday in its first game of the season.

The Rebels had a three-point lead with 30 seconds to go in the game when a Stewartville player fired an air ball from deep. However, a teammate caught the ball and put it in to cut the lead to one.

USC would hit a pair of free throws to re-establish the lead with five seconds to go. Stewartville inbounded the ball and threw it to its best distance shooter who was fouled behind the line. He made the first free throw, missed the second and intentionally missed the third, but USC would not give up the rebound to preserve the win.

&8220;It was crazy at the end,&8221; USC head coach Rob Stevermer said. &8220;We made some defensive mistakes especially in the first half but overall it was a pleasing win.&8221;

The Rebels trailed 32-26 at halftime but were able to make a comeback by getting the ball in the paint to senior Chris Yost who had 11 of his 17 points in the second half. Jake Sonnek added 10 points and Jordan Stenzel had nine.

USC also had a healthy advantage at the free throw line making 15 of 23 attempts while Stewartville had just nine attempts the entire game.

&8220;We got the ball inside and we were able to get some big rebounds,&8221; Stevermer said of the key to his team&8217;s win.