MILES CITY -- Dillon Gee had another big game when Broadus needed it most.
The Hawks' sophomore had a double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds to help Broadus to a 49-43 boys basketball win over Melstone in a Southern C divisional challenge game on Monday.
Broadus, which was challenged by Melstone after losing to Bridger in the Southern C championship on Saturday, built an 18-10 lead by the end of the first quarter and extended the advantage to 26-15 at halftime. The Hawks made 10 of 19 shots in the first half while limiting Melstone to a 7-of-23 performance. Gee had 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field a 3-for-3 mark from the free throw line in the first 16 minutes.
The Broncs didn't go down without a fight, though. Trailing 34-22 with less than three minutes to play in the third quarter, Melstone closed the quarter with a small spurt to cut the deficit to 36-29 going to the fourth. The Broncs would continue to inch closer in the fourth, getting within four points on multiple occasions and within 40-38 with 3:00 to play on a Tyler Kombol bucket.
Broadus answered with a layup from Paysen Kuhbacher, his only points of the game, on the next possession. Johnny Richards then connected on a 3-pointer that put the Hawks up 45-38, and Melstone wouldn't get closer than four the rest of the way.
Richards and Marcus Mader each added nine points for Broadus, which secured a spot at the Class C state tournament with the win.
Bryce Grebe scored a game-high 25 points for Melstone. The Broncs struggled from the floor, though, making just 17 of 52 field goal attempts (32.7%) in the game. They were 4 of 13 from 3-point range and 5 of 10 from the free throw line. Broadus, meanwhile, was 18 of 40 from the field, 4 of 10 from 3-point range and 9 of 11 from the free throw line.
Broadus will be the South's No. 2 seed at the State C tournament, which starts March 10 at Lockwood. The Hawks will play the East's No. 1 seed in the first round.
