STURGIS - A return to basics helped Sioux Falls Roosevelt get back on the winning track Friday night.

Roosevelt built a 49-26 lead after three quarters and defeated Sturgis 62-41 in Greater Dakota Conference boys basketball action at Brown High School.

Head coach Bob Wilber explained his squad "played on its heels" in a Dec. 29 loss to Sioux Falls O'Gorman. "We really tried to emphasize getting back the way we had been playing."

Roosevelt ran off a 6-1 scoring spurt tonight and opened a 10-3 edge. Cody Larson connected on a pair of charity tosses.

After Sturgis trimmed the margin to 10-5, Isaac Jorgensen buried a 3-pointer to start a 5-0 Rough Rider run. Jake Weiss' field goal gave Sioux Falls a 15-5 edge.

Chase Williamson made a 3-pointer in the second period to keep Sturgis within 19-10. Larson got those points back on one shot for Roosevelt.

The teams traded four-point spurts before Williamson connected from 3-point land for the Scoopers. Sioux Falls responded with a 5-2 run to close the half and led 31-19.

A 14-2 run to open the second half enabled Roosevelt to claim a 45-21 cushion. Adol Aluong completed a pair of three-point plays during that five-minute stretch.

Larson pumped in a game-high 19 points for Roosevelt, which visits Spearfish this afternoon. Aluong's efforts featured 13 points.

Thomas Nettleton and Williamson notched eight points apiece to pace Sturgis, which hosts Sioux Falls O'Gorman today at 2:30 p.m.

Roosevelt (3-1 in the conference, 5-1 overall) cut down on its turnovers in the opening period, according to Wilber.

Sioux Falls' defense held Sturgis to three field goals in the first quarter and eight in the first half. "I thought we did a pretty good job," Wilber said of that effort. "We rotated to the ball pretty well and closed off most passing and driving lanes, for the most part."

Roosevelt will look to take the same defensive approach against Spearfish, according to Wilber. "That's the first thing we talked about when we got to the locker room."

Sturgis head coach Ethan Dschaak said the Rough Riders physically forced his squad further and further from the basket. He explained when that happens, it's hard to get much of anything started.

"I was disappointed in our execution," Dschaak continued. "Quite frankly, that's my responsibility. I've got to get us ready to play."

Dschaak referred to today's O'Gorman showdown as "gut-check time." He said Sturgis needs to take care of what it can control: effort, bouncing back, and playing hard.

"I'm looking forward to that, and I think they are, too."