Both NDCL and University started colder than the other side of the pillow on 3-pointers in their Dec. 30 contest. Then the Preppers hit four 3s in the second quarter to cut their deficit to six. But NDCL turned to the glass and limited the Preppers to one-and-done trips down the floor. That, plus some smart shot selection led to a 70-60 victory. PHOTOS: NDCL vs. University boys basketball, Dec. 30, 2024 The Lions moved to 7-2 on the season, while University fell to 7-3. The Lions had assistant coach Steve Steinmetz filling in as acting head coach for Pat Vuyancih, who was out with an illness. Under Steinmetz, the Lions went away from the full-court press they've run all season. But the work on their own end helped. They forced seven first-quarter turnovers and started on an 11-1 run. "We came out tonight trying to play really well in the half-court," Steinmetz said. "We really wanted to try and keep them from shooting. They like to drive and kick, which is a tough thing to defend. Everyone tends to want to help and we were suckered into it a bit. We adjusted well and made them take some difficult shots." Another assist for the Lions was that University started 1-for-7 from deep and Connor Hernan controlled the boards. The senior had six rebounds in the first half and finished with 15. University finished with 23. "It was really important because they were trying to stop us from the pace on offense," Hernan said. "It takes them off their game plan and forces them to adjust. We're able to still dominate a game." One of the Lions' starting guards, Mason Pesho, went out in the first quarter with cramps. His teammates stepped up for him to have time to work it out. Luke Keep had the Lions' first seven points and had 12, all in the first half. Others including Brenden Sawitke and Wesley Jacobson, played strong minutes in the first half. "Mason tweaked his knee a little bit," Steinmetz said. "Just need to stretch better to prevent that happening as often. The biggest thing after the game was emphasizing the work of the guys off the bench. All of them played great and we stick with the system. The more they can contribute now will help down the stretch." University made a 10-0 run late in the second quarter that made it 40-34 at the half. But NDCL has been in theses situations before. The Lions have grown accustomed to the big-game atmosphere with runs to the district round the past two seasons. Hernan controlled the paint in the second half with 15 of his 23 after the break. He's seen that confidence start to rub off on the younger players as well. "I feel like a game like this last year, we lose," Hernan said. "That's the biggest difference from last year to this. We have that experience and it's about keeping poise. We're working on being ready for those big moments in the playoffs." The Preppers turned away from the looks from beyond the arc and started to use cutters. Players including Tylar Robinson and Josh Belcher helped keep the game in reach. Coach Sean McDonnell said they need to start using the drive more with their challenging schedule on the horizon. "NDCL is a really good team and caught us on our heels a bit," McDonnell said. "It wasn't technical or tactical from our part. We talk to the players all the time about liking two-pointers but loving 3s. We talk all the time about getting in the paint and then kicking. Sometimes we're guilty of too many or too soon but we want to be confident in our guys." Robinson finished the game with 17 and Belcher added 13. Alec Congdon had 12 as well for the Preppers. The Preppers are in the midst of a six-game road stretch and next travel to Ottawa-Glandorf on Jan. 3. NDCL gets back to North Coast League play with a trip to Holy Name on the same date.