Rushford-Peterson displayed a potent offense in its first two state tournament victories.

“We can score a lot of points,” Rushford-Peterson coach Tom Vix said. “But our defense carried us all season.”

On Saturday at Target Center, the Trojans relied on their defense to outlast Maranatha Christian 51-44 in the Class 1A boys’ basketball championship game.

The Trojans, who averaged 16 steals per game while allowing just 43.6 points per game, had eight steals and forced Maranatha into 22 turnovers to limit the Mustangs to a season-low offensive output.

“They have two great scorers,” Vix said. “We wanted to make sure we always found them. I think we scrapped and didn’t give them easy baskets. Things went our way today.”

The Trojans, who scored 105 points in their quarterfinal victory over Fond du Lac Ojibwe and 62 in their semifinal victory over Central Minnesota Christian, led by five at halftime and outscored the Mustangs 17-7 over the first 10 minutes of the second half to open a 15-point lead.

But the Mustangs, sparked by Jeremiah Hanson, managed to get within five with 1:28 left. The Trojans (32-1) made 8 of 10 free throws in the final 90 seconds to secure their 28th consecutive victory.

Hanson, scored 17 points in the final six minutes to keep the Mustangs (29-3) close. Hanson, a 6-4 senior, finished with 21 points.

Senior guards Alex Vix, who scored a season-high 23 points, and Charlie Krambeer, who scored 17, led the Trojans. Vix sparked the Trojans in the first half by scoring 10 points in the game’s first six minutes. Vix, who averaged 10.5 points per game, had 13 in the first half.

“I’m very excited for our seniors,” coach Vix said. “They really worked hard.”

The Mustangs, who shot 48 percent from the field on the season, shot 37 percent from the field on Saturday and just 30 percent in the second half.

Maranatha coach Jeff Wall said, “I’m proud of our effort. We kept fighting. We couldn’t quite get over the hump. Give Rushford-Peterson credit. Especially their defense. They didn’t give us any easy looks.”

Alex Vix scored a season-high 23 points to help Rushford-Peterson outlast Maranatha Christian 51-44 in the Class 1A championship game Saturday at Target Center.

Vix scored 10 points in the first half to help the Trojans take a 23-18 lead at halftime.

The Trojans (32-1), who won their 28th consecutive game, extended their lead to 13 points midway through the second half. But the Mustangs (29-3), sparked by Jeremiah Hanson, got within five in the final minute but couldn't get closer.

Hanson scored 17 in the final six minutes. Hanson, the Mustangs' all-time leading scorer, paced the Mustangs, with 21 points.

Charlie Krambeer added 17 for Rushford-Peterson.

Check back later for more on the game.