The Owls boys basketball team improved their overall record to 7-3 last week with two wins and a loss, all on the road. The team started with a 66-53 win over the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars Jan. 6. Next, Hancock went on the road to Battle Lake for a conference matchup and came away with a 76-44 win Jan. 8. The very next day, Hancock was on the road against undefeated Benson and lost 71-64 to the Braves and were just the third team to finish within 10 points of Benson.
Hancock 66, BBE 53
The Owls came into their road contest against BBE with a 6-2 record, but had lost their last two ball games. Hancock handled their business on the road and took down the 3-3 Jaguars 66-53 for their seventh win of the season and first of 2026.
Sam Peterson / Stevens County Times
Hancock played some tough defense against BBE in the first half, holding them to just 21 total points and held a nine-point advantage at the halftime break.
The Jaguars did all they could to stay in the game in the final 18 minutes, but Hancock still outscored BBE 36-32 in the final period to secure a 66-53 victory.
Hancock finished the game with three players in double figures. Luca Felix led the team with 18 points and also had team highs of five assists and two steals. Preston Kisgen recorded a double-double for the Owls with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Eli Mattson chipped in with 16 points and six rebounds. Preston Feucht added eight points and six rebounds.
Hancock 76, Battle Lake 44
For their second win in three days, Hancock blew the doors off Battle Lake on the road in a Little Eight Conference matchup. Thanks to 24 points from Kisgen, Hancock ran away with a 76-44 win over Battle Lake.
It was 5-5 right out of the gate, but Hancock opened up the game on a huge 26-2 run to take a 31-7 advantage. By the end of the first half, the Owls were in front 44-17.
The Owls were able to get some extra minutes for bench players in the second half and still outscored the Battlers 32-27 in the final 18 minutes to cruise to a 32-point win.
Hancock had a huge advantage on the glass all night against the Battlers. The Owls nearly doubled Battle Lake’s rebounding total, ending with a 40-23 advantage on the boards.
The Owls were able to empty their bench in the blowout and get 11 players into the scoring column. Kisgen led the team with 24 points including five three balls. Felix chipped in with 13 points, five steals and four assists. Cruise Millette and Feucht both added seven points and six rebounds.
Benson 71, Hancock 64
In a matchup with the undefeated Benson Braves on the road, the Owls gave the Braves one of just three single-digit games they have had this season. Despite a furious second half comeback from Hancock, Benson escaped with a 71-64 victory.
The Owls started the game strong and had an 11-5 lead just over three minutes into the game. Benson then went on a 12-2 run to take an 18-13 advantage. The Braves continued to stretch the lead and held a 38-24 advantage at the halftime break.
The Braves stayed up by double-digits, growing the lead to 20 points with just under seven minutes on the clock. After a technical foul from Benson, Hancock started to climb their way back into the game. Hancock went on a 17-4 run to cut the lead to just seven with just under two minutes to go. A three from Mattson made it 69-64 with 30 seconds left, but Benson limped across the finish line with a seven-point win.
The Owls had a pretty balanced offensive attack with four players in double figures. Luca Felix and Eli Mattson led the team with 19 points apiece. Mattson had four threes and Felix added three deep balls and led the team with three assists and four steals. Kisgen chipped in with 11 points and led the team with eight rebounds. David Black added 10 points and six rebounds.
Hancock was back on the floor Jan. 12 for a home conference game against Ashby. Next on the schedule, the Owls will host Parkers Prairie Jan. 16 in Hancock.
