The St. Thomas More boys' basketball team traveled to Grand Island, Neb., and knocked off Northwest High School 60-46 to stay undefeated at 4-0 on the year on the first day of the Northwest Holiday Basketball Tournament.

Sophomore forward Brandon Bassett led the Cavaliers with 17 points while senior guard Brendan Duffy chipped in with 13.

"We played pretty well tonight," St. Thomas More head coach Dave Hollenbeck said. "Our team defense was good and it needed to be. They (Northwest) are a well-coached team."

The win sets up a big test with No. 1-ranked Class B Beatrice, Neb., today at 2:30 MST. The Orangemen are a quick team that should give the More backcourt plenty to worry about.

"They're really good and quick," Hollenbeck said of Beatrice, ranked No. 2 in Nebraska's second-biggest class by the Omaha World-Herald and No. 1 by the Lincoln Journal-Star.

"They're going to get after our guards and test them in a way they haven't been tested yet this year. It'll be good for us."

The Cavaliers held a 31-22 lead at the half. Northwest dropped to 4-1 with the loss.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

NO. 2 PIERRE 68, NO. 1 SIOUX FALLS WASHINGTON 67: No. 2-ranked Pierre got two free throws from all-state guard Steph Paluch with no time left on the clock to knock off No. 1-ranked Sioux Falls Washington 68-67 at T.F. Riggs Gymnasium on Monday night.

The Governors had the ball, down one point with just second to play when Paluch was fouled as she shot a 3-pointer. The shot missed, but an official ruled that Paluch had been fouled before the shot, giving her two charity tosses. She knocked them both down to help the Lady Govs to a 3-0 record and a claim to the No. 1 spot in the Class AA poll next week.

Kacey Meeker led the Warriors - the defending Class AA champs - with 21 points. Returning all-state forward Ashley Eide chipped in with 20 points and 14 rebounds and sophomore Rachel Walters added 18 points and nine boards. Washington dropped to 6-1 with the loss.

Center Katie Lingle had 15 points and 18 rebounds to lead Pierre.