By Becky Walz,
They did it again.
After 22 seasons, the 2019-20 Decorah boys’ basketball team won the Northeast Iowa Conference title and Tuesday night, the Vikings (15-5, 10-2 NEIC) proved they are the real deal with a 52-51 win over Crestwood (12-6, 8-4 NEIC) to earn back-to-back conference titles.
Firing off three treys, Jacob Pipho had nine of Decorah’s 11 points in the first period with Briggs Duwe knocking down the Vikes first basket of the night. Despite the start, the Red and Blue trailed 12-11 after the first eight minutes. In the second frame, the Vikings took a slim, 21-19 lead before Crestwood went on a 10-point scoring rampage to take a 29-21 lead with 1:00 to play before the half. With time ticking off the clock, Duwe nailed a trey to close the score to 29-24.
In the second half, Decorah came out hot with Joe Bockman tying the game at 31-31 with 6:17 to play. From there the Vikes ratted off seven unanswered points and outscored the Cadets, 23-9 to take a 47-38 lead into the final period. Crestwood quickly went to work and erased the lead Decorah had, taking the score to 49-48 in favor of Decorah with 4:33 remaining. With the clock down to 2:35, Trey McCain stepped up to the charity stripe, pushing the Vikes ahead to 51-48. Undeterred, the Cadets responded with a basket and then connected on a free throw to knot the score once again at 51-51 with just over a minute remaining. With possession of the basketball, Decorah took the clock down under 10 seconds with Joe Bockman looking to take the final shot for the win when he was fouled with 1.8 seconds left. Hitting the first of his two charity tosses, Bockman gave Decorah a one-point advantage, 52-51 and that was all the Vikes would need for the win.
The hot hand of the night was had by Jacob Pipho, knocking down 17 points, including five treys. Two other Vikes were in double figures. With 15 points was Joe Bockman, while Briggs Duwe added 14. Also on the board was Charlie Robinson with four and Trey McCain with two.
Decorah plays Class 3A No. 2 Monticello Thursday, Feb. 18, in a non-conference game in Oelwein before opening the postseason at home versus Independence Monday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m., in the Class 3A Substate 3 bracket. A win will put the Vikes in the semifinals versus the winner of the Crestwood and Charles City match-up Thursday, Feb. 25, in Cresco at 7 p.m. The substate final is set for Monday, March 1, at 7 p.m.
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