The United South Central boys’ basketball team defeated New Richland-Harltland-Ellendale-Geneva 70-62 in a Gopher Conference showdown on Friday.

NRHEG took a 35-30 lead at the half with a buzzer-beater at the end of the first half by Macoy Schwierjoahn.

“We played probably the best half of basketball we have all year in the first half,” NRHEG head coach Pat Churchill said. “Defensively, we were active. Offensively, we were patient, got good looks and knocked them down.”

In the second half, USC took control in the paint to take the lead.

Cole Stencel, a senior guard for the Rebels, led all scorers with 25 points, while Colin Becher, Trey Allis and Steve Voigt also scored in double digits for USC.

Schwierjohan led NRHEG with 12 points. Nic Mangskau, Kevin Kalis and Oakley Baker added 11 points each.

USC is 17-9 overall, 12-2 in the Gopher Conference and 6-5 in its section.

The win over NRHEG was USC’s last game of the regular season, and the Rebels have a good shot at the Gopher Conference crown.

Waterville-Elysian-Morristown is second in the conference with an overall record of 17-9 and a conference record of 11-2.

The Buccaneers still have three games before the conclusion of the regular season.

NRHEG is 5-18 overall, 3-11 in the Gopher Conference and 0-9 in its section.