Madison, S.D. -- In just their second game of the season, the Madison boys’ basketball team came up short falling to Vermillion 66-53 last night at the Middle School Gym. The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 1-1 on the season.

Madison battled hard with the Tanagers in the first half, using the full court press to force Vermillion turnovers. Yet, Vermillion was able to find the basket and used the same up tempo game against the Bulldogs. Madison Head Coach Mike Ricke says the Bulldogs didn’t make enough big plays off of turnovers.



Madison hung tough and trailed the Tanagers 27-21 at halftime. In the 2nd half, the Bulldogs again forced turnovers off the press and got back into the game when Eli Roemen drilled a 3-pointer to tie the game at 34 in the 3rd quarter. Coach Ricke says Roemen is a strong player off of the bench for the Bulldogs.



Roeman finished with 11 points in the game. Vermillion went on a 12-2 run to end the 3rd quarter, built up a 10 point lead and never looked back. The Bulldogs’ missed free throws hurt them the entire ballgame, and Coach Ricke says that is unusual for a Madison team.



The victory keeps Vermillion unbeaten on the season and 3-0 in the Big 8 conference. Madison will look to rebound tonight when they travel to Lennox. Matt Hendrickson will have the call on Dakota’s Best AM 1390 with tipoff at 7:30.