SPEARFISH - No. 2-ranked Red Cloud outscored Lead-Deadwood 26-8 during the final six minutes of the first half and downed the Golddiggers 72-58 in the Perkins Classic at the Donald E. Young Center on Thursday night.

Red Cloud's second period scoring outburst gave the Crusaders a commanding 49-29 halftime advantage.

Cat-quick, sharp-shooting 5-foot-9 guard Christian McGhee tossed in 18 of his team-high 24 points in the second quarter. McGhee nailed five 3-point shots in the game.

Pouring in points is nothing new for McGhee, who has started since he was a freshman. He reached 1,000 career points during the game.

"Christian deserves everything he has accomplished," said Red Cloud coach Matt Rama. "He puts a lot of time and effort in working to get better."

Red Cloud's half-court trap produced numerous Golddigger turnovers which the Crusaders converted into uncontested layups. When they missed a shot, the Crusaders hit the offensive board hard and got second and third scoring opportunities.

Lead-Deadwood coach Curt Shaw saw his team's game plan fall apart in the second period.

"We knew coming in that we had to get back on defense and also keep Red Cloud off the offensive board. In the second quarter we didn't do either one," Shaw said. "I don't think we got tired, but mentally, the kids tightened up after we began turning it over."

Red Cloud led by 23 points, 70-47, when Rama pulled his starters with 4:20 left in the game. Lead-Deadwood then outpointed the Crusaders 11-2 the rest of the way.

Tyler Adler topped the Golddiggers in scoring with 20 points and he had to work extremely hard for every point.

"We know that every team we play is going to concentrate on stopping Tyler," Shaw said.

Red Cloud's defensive ace Billy Scott did an outstanding job defending Adler.

"Billy is very focused on playing tough defense. In last week's game against White River, we had him guard Louie Krogman (South Dakota's all-time career scoring leader), so we ask a lot from Billy," Rama said.

Scott also scored 17 points, most coming on quick drives to the bucket. Lester Gotheridge added 15 points for the Crusaders who were a perfect 12-for-12 at the free throw line.

With Adler being tightly defended, Lead-Deadwood needed somebody to step up and Jared Mack was the man. Mack tossed in five 3-pointers and 19 points.

"Jared's been struggling. If he missed a couple of shots, he would stop shooting. I told him to be more aggressive in shooting the ball," Shaw said.

Red Cloud played without starting guard Carl Swallow (20 points against White River) but Rama said his team has outstanding depth.

"I'm confident in going 11 deep," he said.

Red Cloud (6-0) has outscored its opponents by an average of 29 points per game.

Lead-Deadwood slips to 3-3 but the 'Diggers' demanding schedule has included back-to-back games against No. 1 St. Thomas More (a 61-46 loss) and now, Red Cloud.

"After playing both teams, there is no doubt in my mind that More and Red Cloud are the No. 1 and No. 2 Class A teams in the state," Shaw said.

Comparing the two oppoents, Shaw said, "They are very different. More is very disciplined on offense and plays in-your-face defense. Red Cloud runs the floor real well and forces you into turnovers with their trapping defense."

Red Cloud plays No. 5-ranked Platte-Geddes on Thursday in the Snowball Classic at Winner.

Lead-Deadwood will host Hill City on Thursday.