West Liberty-Salem’s boys basketball team turned in a strong first half, but could not duplicate that performance in the second half of a 51-39 loss to visiting Fairbanks in an Ohio Heritage Conference game Tuesday night.
The Tigers slip to 8-9 overall and 6-6 in the OHC. Fairbanks is now 12-6, 10-2. The Panthers hold a four-game lead atop OHC North division standings.
Fairbanks led by three points (15-12) after the first quarter.
However, the Tigers used a 14-11 run in the second period to tie the score at 26-26 at halftime.
Fairbanks snatched the momentum in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers 12-4 to lead 38-30.
The Panthers continued to add to their lead in the final period.
Holtz Maine led the Panthers with 16 points.
Individual stats for the Tigers were not available by press time.
The Tigers are back in action Friday at West Jefferson.
FAIRBANKS 51, WL-S 39
FAIRBANKS (12-6, 10-2)
Crowe 2 0-0 5; Green 1 0-0 3; Landon 4 3-4 13; Maine 8 0-0 16; B. Wiedmann 1 4-6 6; Miller 1 0-0 2; D. Wiedmann 2 0-0 6. Totals: 19 7-10 51.
Panthers 15 11 12 13 — 51
Tigers 12 14 4 9 — 39
Three pointers: Fairbanks 6 (D. Wiedmann 2, Landon 2, Crowe, Green).