Basketball Game Preview: Mahpiya Luta Crusaders vs. Pine Ridge Thorpes

The Mahpiya Luta Crusaders are taking a road trip to challenge the Pine Ridge Thorpes at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Both are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.

Mahpiya Luta took a loss when they played away from home on Tuesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Saturday. Everything went their way against Belle Fourche as Mahpiya Luta made off with a 75-52 victory. The Crusaders have made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won five contests by 22 points or more this season.

Braylon Little was a one-man wrecking crew for Mahpiya Luta as he went 8 for 9 en route to 19 points. Another player making a difference was Memphis Brewer, who went 5 of 7 on his way to 12 points.

Meanwhile, Pine Ridge entered their tilt with Little Wound on Saturday with three consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with four. They took their match with ease, bagging a 67-40 win over the Mustangs.

Pine Ridge pushed their record up to 9-6 with the victory, which was their eighth straight at home dating back to last season. They've dominated over that stretch too, winning by an average of 37.2 points. As for Mahpiya Luta, the win got them back to even at 6-6.

Mahpiya Luta took a serious blow against Pine Ridge in their previous meeting back in March of 2024, falling 83-55. Can Mahpiya Luta avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.