Staff photo by Ari Selvey Minnesota Valley Lutheran’s Connor Bode (4) puts up a layup during a Kwik Trip Holiday Tournament game against Mankato Loyola Saturday at Bethany Lutheran College.

MANKATO – Minnesota Valley Lutheran came away with the consolation championship of the Kwik Trip Holiday Tournament at Bethany Lutheran College, securing a 74-66 win over Mankato Loyola on Saturday. 

“I think it started with our defense,” MVL head coach Craig Morgan said. “If we can’t defend and can’t get the rebounds, we can’t run. That was the big thing. Our defensive pressure was better in the first half and we were moving our feet and we were talking a lot better. That gave them some turnovers and we were able to convert.”

MVL got up for the game with hustle plays and running in transition, and much of its production came on the fast break.

“These guys played hard,” Morgan said. “They come out each night and they’re ready to compete. We get into conference play after Christmas, and they know we got to work hard and play hard. We’re still learning and building on the things that we’ve done. I’m proud of the guys and the way they’ve competed.”

Connor Bode paced the Chargers with 13 points and three steals. Blake Sexton and Luke Merseth each had 10 points for MVL, with Merseth adding eight rebounds and Sexton grabbing three rebounds.

MVL got out to a quick 6-0 lead to start the game, bringing out a timeout from Loyola. The Crusaders got back in with a 7-0 run, and the teams traded buckets for several possessions. However, MVL outscored Loyola 19-9 to end the half, capitalized by a buzzer-beating drive from Brennan Bendix to go into the second half up 40-30. 

MVL continued to push in transition, starting with a transition layup by Bode to open the half. A putback by Sexton saw the Chargers up 45-32, sparking a run ending in a 3-pointer by Bode to go up 52-32, MVL’s largest lead of the game. Loyola stayed in it, getting just enough production to keep the lead around 10 to 15 points for much of the second half, but the Chargers stayed in front, with a highlight half court pass from Pierson Brau to Merseth for a layup putting the score at 62-52. Bode hit another 3-pointer before Loyola called a timeout with 1:16 to play to put the Chargers up 73-61, but the Crusaders made it interesting by cutting the lead down to 74-66 with just over 30 seconds to play. However, Loyola never scored another point as MVL finished the tournament as consolation champions.

MVL had two players make the All-Tournament team in Sexton and Merseth.

MVL (4-4) starts conference play against Maple River at home on Jan. 10.