DANVILLE — The Chrisman Cardinals got out to a fast start and held on late withstanding a furious four quarter rally to claim a 53-43 victory over the Bismarck-Henning Blue Devils at 43rd Annual Topper Classic.

The Cardinals were led by Cody Owen, who hit six consecutive free throws late in the fourth quarter, and finished with 16 points.

In his second game back after missing last season due to injury Zack Parsons added 13.

Michael Grant led the Blue Devils with 11 points with Ian Park and Tanner Ribbe adding 10 each.

The Cardinals got out to a 9-0 lead, holding the Blue Devils scoreless for nearly six minutes, and led 11-4 at the end of the first quarter.

“We had one good quarter, one bad quarter, one good quarter, one bad quarter tonight,’’ Chrisman coach Shawn Nugent said. “Both teams played tough games last night and there were some guys with weary legs and a lot of sloppy play. We got comfortable and started trying to cruise and Bismarck kept battling.”

The Cardinals would match their first quarter point total of 11 with the Blue Devils coming to life on offense scoring 14 points to cut the Cardinals lead to 22-18 at the half.

Matt Dixon got the third quarter scoring started for the Cardinals who would build a 36-18 lead by holding the Blue Devils scoreless in the period on 0-12 shooting.

“When we were able to hold them scoreless in the third I thought it was over,’’ Nugent said. “I thought we had stopped taking plays off and found the defensive intensity we lost in the second quarter.

“Matt Dixon often doesn’t get the credit for all he does for the team like boxing out. He does those little things that you need and may not score a lot but he did a good job leading in the fourth quarter.”

Grant hit a pair of free throws to start the final period igniting a 10-2 Blue Devils run that cut the score to 38-28. A 3-pointer by Grant would make the score 45-40 with less than two minutes to go and a 3 by Ribbe would get the Blue Devils within four at 47-43 with less than a minute to go.

They would get no closer though as free throws from Owen closed out the scoring.

“Cody (Owen) did a good job keeping his composure tonight,’’ Nugent said. “He is our best free-throw shooter and wanted the ball late and was able to convert.”

The Cardinals were 12 of 23 at the line before making 9 of 10 to close out the game.

“We shoot a lot of free throws in practice and a lot of pressure situation free throws and know how important they are,’’ Nugent said. “Zack Parsons also hit a big shot from the baseline late in the game that was another key for us.”

The Cardinals even their record at 1-1 and return to tournament action at 8pm Friday taking on Schlarman.

The Blue Devils fall to 0-2 and also return to action Friday facing Oakwood at 5 p.m.

“We are not experienced or deep enough to spot teams leads,’’ Bismarck-Henning coach Deon Mennenga said. “Youth is no excuse this season. Effort is one thing but why wait till the fourth quarter. Everyone loves to play offense but defense should be the one constant in your game especially when you’re not shooting well.

“Ross Darby gave us a spark late. Hopefully this game does wonders for us in realizing that we have to show the intensity we showed in the fourth quarter the whole game.”

In other tournament action, the Oakwood Comets got 11 points from Doug Pierce and 10 from Cameron Lee, but they were unable to contain Dalton Temples who had 17 points on the strength of five 3-pointers to lead the Paris Tigers to a 60-36 win over the Comets (0-2).

The Schlarman Hilltoppers got out to a slow start trailing 17-2 after one quarter before rebounding for some nice moments in the second and third quarters.

Schlarman got solid play from Justin Davis and late points from Nathan Tissier but it ultimately wasnt enough as they lost 56-42 to the St. Thomas More Sabers.

The Hilltoppers (1-1) had every player score and were led by Michael Bateman who finished with nine points.