Before Wednesday’s game on the Island, DeLaSalle’s varsity boys' program had played a Dec. 29 game against nationally ranked Florida-based IMG Academy in a showdown in South Dakota. DeLaSalle was handed one of its worst losses in recent memory, a 90-51 defeat inside the Corn Palace.

The team needed to bounce back if it wanted to compete for another state championship, coach Dave Thorson said. And the Islanders did. The next day, the five-time Minnesota Class 3A champions dismantled Mitchell in South Dakota by nearly 50 points. It was that momentum that led them into Wednesday’s home game—the first since early December—against Osseo.

No. 1-3A DeLaSalle (7-2) held off a tough Osseo (7-2) team, defeating the visiting Orioles 76-74, despite a first half with senior forward and team scoring leader Goanar Mar being limited to one point.

Christian Dickson, a junior, scored 19 points in the game for the Islanders, with 15 coming in the first half. His game helped keep DeLaSalle in a game that Osseo was trying to run away with after a first half dominated with physical play and costly turnovers.

Thorson said it’s a testament to his team, to its “balance” and its history.

“The effect (Dickson) had on the game was outstanding,” Thorson said. “He’s really an unsung hero, I think… He’s a warrior.”

Thorson’s squad headed into the locker room down eight points to an Osseo squad that was beating the reigning Class 3A champions in their home gym, in part because of a high number of turnovers, but also because of the Orioles’ transition offense.

Senior forward John Bezdicek, who scored 17 points before fouling out with three minutes remaining, led Osseo with 13 before the break. Osseo coach Tim Theisen said it was the loss of Bezdicek and two big mistakes in the final two minutes that cost his team the game.

“We outplayed them 34 of 36 minutes,” Theisen said. “I believe we did. We just made two big mistakes in the final minute and a half that cost us.”

Turnovers—DeLaSalle had 12 in the first half alone—hurt both teams. But the Islanders capitalized on Osseo’s when it counted, including Gabe Kalscheur’s tie-breaking two-point bucket with 11 seconds remaining that pushed the Islanders ahead.

Osseo had a chance for the final shot, but missed. Kalscheur finished with 10 points, including a three-pointer. He was 1 of 2 from the free-throw line.

Mar finished with 21 points, however, and surpassed 1,000 points in his high school career. The second 18 minutes was where Mar shined—on the free-throw line, behind the arc and throwing down a monster dunk that changed the momentum of the game.

After coming out of the locker room, Mar sunk two free-throws, hit two key three-pointers and stole a pass, ran the length of the court, and threw down a slam dunk that brought a near-standing room-only DeLaSalle crowd to its feet.

“(At halftime) coach told us we had to be tougher,” Mar said after the game. “We had to stop with the soft turnovers. So we did.”

Zach Theisen, the No. 4 scorer in the state, went into the game leading Osseo players with 24.8 points per game and 198 total in the season. He finished Wednesday's game with 13 points, including two from behind the arc. Mar Mar Hughes finished with 11 points, and Emmette Page Jr. came off the Osseo bench to put up 11.

Osseo, which is 1-1 in conference play, has Spring Lake Park up next in the Northwest Suburban - West. DeLaSalle, which hosted its first home game in nearly a month, plays St. Anthony on Tuesday.

DeLaSalle held off a tough Osseo team Wednesday night on the Island, beating visiting Osseo 76-74.

After heading into the locker room down eight points, the No. 1-3A Islanders (7-2) regained momentum in the opening minutes of the second half, on the back of senior forward Goanar Mar who finished with 21 points. Although the Orioles held him to one point in the first half, the second 18 minutes was where Mar shined—on the free-throw line, behind the arc and throwing down a monster dunk that changed the momentum of the game.

Osseo (7-2) was led by senior forward John Bezdicek, who scored 17 points before fouling out with three minutes remaining. Coach Tim Theisen said it was the loss of Bezdicek and two big mistakes in the final two minutes that cost his team the game.

With 11 seconds to go and a 74-74 tie, DeLaSalle’s Gabe Kalscheur made a basket that made nearly everyone in the packed gym jump to their feet. Osseo had a chance for the final shot, but missed. Kalscheur finished with 10 points, including a three-pointer. He was 1 of 2 from the free-throw line.

DeLaSalle’s Christian Dickson, a junior, scored 19 points, with 15 coming in the first half.