Launching 13 three-point baskets, Randolph sunk the visiting Clipper varsity boys 78-36 on Thursday.
The Rockets, who came into the game with wins over Hayfield and NRHEG but losses to St. Charles, Blooming Prairie and NYA, scored the first nine points.
Brenan Kortuem made a free throw to get the Clippers on the board. Carson Lyons put in a couple of free shots, but the Clippers trailed 27-3 when the Clippers next scored: a Bode Bartell three-pointer (above) with 8:20 left in the half.
Lyons put in a three, and Gabe Sullivan and Kale Kelley each made a two-point basket, but that was it for Clipper scoring in the first half and, after an onslaught of 10 threes, the Rockets were way in front, 54-13 at the intermission.
Kortuem dropped in a pair of threes and a two-point basket in the second half, and Carter Barto added six points for the Clippers, but the Rockets didn’t slip any, outscoring the Clippers 24-23 in the second half.
Kortuem totaled nine points in the effort. Carson Lyons had three and three free baskets for six points. Blake Lyons was penalized with four fouls in the first half to limit his floor time and was held to a basket and two freebies in the second half for a total of four points. Also with four fouls in the first half, Barto totaled seven points, all in the second half.
Bartell had three points. Kyle Connor put in a two-point basket and a free shot in the second half for three points. Sullivan and Kelley each contributed a basket.
The Clippers totaled four threes and were eight of 14 from the foul line. The Rockets were 12 of 24 in free throw shooting.
Randoph loss to USC the following night. The Clippers will have a chance to regroup before Friday when they host Mankato Loyola.
Loyola, rebuilding after a trip to state last season, where they lost both games by just a point, has beaten Nicollet twice and St. Clair twice in the Valley as well as IL, NRHEG and Hayfield. In the Conference, the Crusaders fell to Madelia by a point and to T/ML/GHE by five points. They also lost to Mayer Lutheran, Maple River and SESM in non-conference play.
Gabe Sullivan looks for an open teammate.
Carter Barto launches a shot.
Brennan Kortuem grabs a pass on the way to a shot.
Kale Kelley battles a defender.
Brady Bostic sets up for a shot from behind the arc.
Carson Lyons takes the ball inside under pressure..