USC gets payback on Blue Earth
Published 2:08 am Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Voigt’s double-double leads Rebels to victory
WELLS — With the season on the line, United South Central avenged a regular-season loss by beating Blue Earth 78-71 in the first round of the Section 2AA tournament on Monday.
USC head coach Robert Stevermer credited an early double-digit lead to his team’s unselfishness.
“We passed the ball really well and only had nine turnovers,” he said. “Some of the passes were to our guys under the basket for easy shots.”
The Rebels took a seven point lead into halftime (35-27).
United South Central junior forward Steve Voigt looks to shoot against Blue Earth during the regular season. The Rebels lost the game 78-72, but USC got another chance at the Buccaneers in the first round of the Section 2AA Tournament on Monday. The Rebels made the most of the opportunity by earning a 78-71 win to advance to the second round. Voigt’s 29 points and 14 rebounds led USC to the victory. — Heather Rule/Albert Lea Tribune
In the second half, USC maintained its lead to earn the win.
Junior forward Steve Voigt played a complete game in the paint and on the perimeter for the Rebels. He earned a double-double with 29 points (three 3-pointers) and 14 rebounds.
“Our key was Steve Voigt,” Stevermer said. “He played the best game of his life.”
“A few of those shots were drive-and-kick-outs,” Voigt said. “I just set up and waited, because they weren’t guarding me out there.”
Throughout the year, the Rebels have had a variety of leading scorers.
“Anybody can get the points,” Voigt said. “That’s how it’s been all season. Cole (Stencel) has put up 25 and Pete (Nate Pederson) has scored 20. So, everybody gets their game.”
During the regular-season game that Blue Earth won 78-72, Dallas Barslou earned a game-high 32 points. In Monday’s postseason rematch, he was held to 13 points.
“Trey Allis really stepped up defensively for us,” Stevermer said. “Bazel really had to earn his points toinight. We guarded him a lot better.”
Also scoring in double digits for USC was Pederson with 15 points and Cole Stencel with 10.
The Rebels improve to 18-9 overall, 12-2 in the Gopher Conference and 6-5 in Section 2AA.
USC, the No.4-seed in sectionals will get a chance to beat the No. 1 seed, Maple River for the second time this year. On Dec. 18, the Rebels beat the Eagles 62-61 at home. USC improved to 2-4 on the season after losing its first four games. However, after those first for games, the Rebels have gone 18-5.
Going into the second round of the sectional tournament, USC has won six straight games, it’s longest winning streak of the season.
No. 1-seed Maple River is also on a six-game winning streak. Two of those wins were in double overtime.
USC also played Maple River in the second round of the 2011-12 sectional tournament, and the Rebels prevailed.
“It’s just like last year, but now they’re a No.1-seed,” Stevermer said. “So, it’s going to be a tough ball game.”
