The Southland boys basketball team was able to finish strong after grinding out a physical battle with Lyle-Pacelli in Pacelli Gym Saturday. The Rebels finished the game on an 18-7 run over the last 10 minutes as they picked up a 47-35 win.

The game saw both teams struggle to find their offense and Southland (8-9 overall) was finally able to take control when Chris Webber converted a three-point play to put them up 33-29 with 8:56 left in the game and Jared Landherr hit a three-pointer to make it 36-31 Southland.

“We knew it was going to be a close game, but I didn’t think we’d both struggle offensively,” Southland head coach Matt Webber said. “We were getting good looks. I thought we were really tight in shooting. Usually those shots go in, but we wanted to stay within our game plan and get them to switch defenses.”

Southland’s defense took over the game down the stretch as it held LP to just four points in the last eight minutes of the game.

“Defense was probably the biggest part of the game,” said Southland’s Josh Anderson, who had 14 points and six rebounds. “We’re all really tight on and off the court and that really helps us with communication.”

Noah Jiskra and Braden Kocer each finished with 12 points for LP (11-9 overall).

“It was anybody’s game, but they executed when we had to go man,” LP head coach Scott Koenigs said. “I didn’t want to go man, because they execute well against it, but I had to at the end.”

Southland 23 24 — 47

LP 20 15 — 35

LP scoring: Noah Jiskra, 12; Braden Kocer, 12; Jordan Cotter, 4; Lee Bauer, 4; Trinity Anderson, 3; free throws: 57 percent (8-for-14); rebounds: 30 (Bauer, 11); turnovers: 12

Southland scoring: Josh Anderson, 14; Jackson Koenigs, 9; Jared Landherr, 9; James Landherr, 8; Chris Webber, 7; rebounds: 21 (Anderson, 6); turnovers: 5