The Sioux Falls Storm put themselves in better playoff position Saturday night as they won their third straight game, beating the Bismarck Bucks 49-44 at home.

The Bucks (3-10) only led in the game for 70 seconds of game time after scoring on the first possession of the game taking a 3-0 lead. The Storm (7-5)  then responded moments later after quarterback Dalton Sneed threw a 40-yard touchdown to wide receiver Donnie Corley. That score gave the Storm a 7-3 advantage and would lead the rest of the way.

That touchdown would be the first of three unanswered touchdowns the Storm would score in the first half en route to a 21-3 lead. A 45-yard one play touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown from Sneed gave Sioux Falls their 18-point advantage.

Bismarck found the end zone for the first time of the game midway through the second quarter. Rob Brown returned the ball 48 yards on the kickoff to trim Sioux Falls' lead to 21-10.

The first half was capped off by a 24-yard touchdown catch from Aaron Dilworth and a deuce from kicker Sawyer Petre extended the Storm's lead back to 29-10 at the break.

Each team traded scores throughout the third quarter, making it tough for the Bucks to get back into the game. After a Donnie Corley touchdown to start the fourth quarter, Sioux Falls led 42-22 with 14:50 to play. Then, the Bucks found some momentum as they marched down field running into the end zone after an eight-play drive, cutting the deficit to 14. Then on a botched play, Sioux Falls fumbled the ball close to their own end zone and Jamal Hicks ran it in for a touchdown making it a game 42-36 with just over six minutes to play.

Sneed threw a 22-yard pass to Dilworth on the next play, putting the final nail in the coffin for the Bucks. Bismarck put up one more touchdown with two minutes remaining but did not have timeouts remaining and the Storm ran out the clock for the victory.

Sneed only had five incompletions in the game, completing 11-of-16 passes for 225 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran six times for 15 yards and a rushing touchdown. Nate Chavious ran the ball six times for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Dilworth led the way in receiving yards for Sioux Falls with six receptions for 99 yards and two touchdowns. Corley also had two touchdowns while adding two catches for 70 yards. Carlos Thompson had three catches, compiling 56 yards and a touchdown.

Brian Adkins led the defense with eight tackles white Famus Hasty had six total tackles. Mike Alvarez had four tackles and an interception.

Sioux Falls now sits alone at third place in the Eastern Conference with four games remaining. They are one game behind the Massachusetts Pirates for second place and 0.5 games ahead of the Iowa Barnstormers for fourth place. The top four teams in each conference qualify for the IFL playoffs.

The Storm are back in action Friday, June 17 when they travel to Green Bay to play the Blizzard for the first time of the season.