Joe Smoldt’s basket with 5 seconds to go was the final rung as Class 1A No. 1 Gladbrook-Reinbeck climbed all the way back from a 12-point deficit for a 52-51 win over Jesup in cross-NICL boys basketball action here Tuesday night.

Playing their fourth game in five days, the top-ranked Rebels (16-0) survived their most serious scare to date. G-R rallied to force overtime against South Hardin in winning its season opener, and the Rebels escaped with a three-point triumph over Dike-New Hartford in the NICL Shootout at Wartburg College earlier this month.

Camden Kickbush came away with a game-high 19 points and a team-leading nine rebounds for Gladbrook-Reinbeck. Kickbush netted five 3-pointers in the win.

Zach Pierce picked up 12 points, six boards and two blocked shots, while Smoldt finished with nine points, nine assists and three steals. Cameron Clark added seven points in the Rebels’ season-low output.

Ethan Wyatt had 18 points to head the scoring for Jesup (9-7). Kyle Schultz added 12 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots, and Tyler Lienau pitched in 10 points. The J-Hawks got outscored 31-25 in the second half of their upset bid.