Jimmy Lafakis/MDN South Prairie senior guard Tanner Mosser celebrates after making a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter of Monday's game against Nedrose at South Prairie. The Royals captured a 57-52 victory over the Cardinals.

When the ball dropped through the bottom of the net, Tanner Mosser roared in delight.

Mosser’s clutch 3-pointer in the fourth quarter helped South Prairie (5-2) earn a 57-52 home win over Nedrose (4-3) at South Prairie on Monday night.

The hotly contested battle between the Minot-area rivals sent the Royals fans home happy.

“It’s awesome being out here with my boys,” Mosser said. “We put in a lot of work during practice and the offseason. Our hard work is paying off.”

In the first quarter, points came at a premium. Both teams toiled away at the grindstone, but Nedrose took an 8-7 lead into the second quarter.

The next frame featured more scoring, but both teams kept feeling each other out. Both fan bases screeched after each respective basket.

The rivals’ defensive intensity ratcheted up. The Cardinals nursed a 23-20 lead before the intermission.

“The last couple of years, we’ve been building a culture of hard work on the defensive end,” South Prairie head coach Jordan Cooper said. “It’s finally starting to pay off for them. Some of the skillsets have come along. They’re really starting to understand what it takes to win basketball games on both ends.”

In the third quarter, the Royals made their moves. South Prairie employed a mix of penetration and outside scoring.

Even still, the Cardinals continued to knife through the lane and score some points in the paint. The nip-and-tuck affair kept the gym’s energy electric.

“I remember (South Prairie superintendent) Wayne Stanley and I stood right in here when this place was bare,” Cooper said. “I remember thinking, ‘Man, it’s going to be fun one day to fill this place.’ It’s starting to get there, so we’re super-excited.”

In the fourth quarter, the Royals methodically picked apart the Cardinals’ defense. In turn, South Prairie converted its chances at the charity stripe.

South Prairie senior forward Hayden Gibney played quality defense down the stretch. Gibney contested several shots at the rim.

After the final buzzer sounded, the Royals rushed to their bench in celebration. High-fives and fist-bumps abound, South Prairie walked off the court winners.

“They just have so much fun,” Cooper said of the Royals. “That’s the best part about being a member of this basketball team. I’m a coach, but I’m just a member of the team. I love watching them play when they’re rolling. So it’s just a lot of fun.”

Mosser led the Royals with 17 points. Senior guard Cade Korslien added 13.

Senior guard Jethro Lauren paced the Cardinals with 13 points. Fellow senior guard Trevor Cannon (11 points) and junior guard Sam Overton (10 points) also finished in double figures.

“South Prairie played really hard,” Nedrose head coach Matt Norby said. “They’re a really good team. Good luck to them.”

After the game, Mosser delivered a succinct message to the Royals’ future opponents.

“Keep doubting us,” he said. “That’s it.”

Nedrose will travel to Our Redeemer’s (3-2) for a 7:30 p.m. contest tonight. The Royals will enjoy a break before traveling to Mohall/Lansford/Sherwood (1-2) for a 7 p.m. game on Jan. 17.

Jimmy Lafakis covers Minot High School sports and Class B high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @JJLII30.