Salem, S.D. -- The McCook Central/Montrose boys’ basketball team improved their record to 7-3 with a 52-37 victory over Sioux Valley Friday night in Salem. It was the first game for the Fighting Cougars since finishing sixth at the Big East Conference Tournament.

McCook Central/Montrose, who had lost three of their last four games, including one to Sioux Valley, started the game on fire going on a 13-0 run. They held the Cossacks scoreless for the first 6:18 of the ballgame before Spencer Hanson put back a missed shot for a score. Leading 15-4 after the 1st quarter, the Fighting Cougars kept knocking down shots. McCook Central/Montrose owned the offensive glass and Shayne Gottlob hit eight of 12 free throws in the 1st half. Jordan Wolf knocked down a fade away jumper at the buzzer, and the Fighting Cougars outscored the Cossacks 19-8 in the 2nd quarter, to lead by 22 at the half.

In the 2nd half, it was Sioux Valley who caught fire. The Cossacks came out of the locker room on a 9-0 run, outscored the Fighting Cougars 11-3 in the 3rd quarter and trailed by 14 heading into the final eight minutes of play. Sioux Valley fought until the very end as they cut the deficit to five, but could not get any closer. McCook Central/Montrose went 24 of 36 from the free throw line in the game as they secured the win. Shayne Gottlob notched a double-double with 16 points and 21 rebounds, while Jordan Wolf picked up 14 points for the Fighting Cougars.

Sioux Valley hosts Chester on Tuesday, while McCook Central/Montrose will take on Flandreau in Salem on Friday.

Note: The game was moved to Salem due to a water main break at the Montrose School