West Liberty Salem’s boys basketball team built a double-digit halftime lead Friday, and then held on for a narrow 37-36 victory at West Jefferson in an Ohio Heritage Conference matchup.
The Tigers improve to 9-9 overall and 7-6 in the OHC. West Jefferson falls to 2-11, 6-13.
The first quarter was back-and-forth as WL-S took a 6-5 lead after the first quarter. The Tigers went on an 18-6 scoring run in the second quarter to pull ahead 24-11 at halftime.
The Roughriders returned the favor in the third quarter, however, outscoring WL-S 19-7 out of halftime. West Jefferson drew back to within one point entering the fourth quarter at 31-30.
Both teams netted six fourth-quarter points, and WL-S was able to stave off the late comeback and hold on for the one-point victory.
Brevin Louden led the Tigers with 13 points. Miles Hostetler added 11 points in the win.
The Tigers won the JV game 44-15. Caleb Hershberger scored 17 points, and JJ Johnson added 11 points in reserve game.
The Tigers are back at it Tuesday when they travel to Mechanicsburg for an OHC contest.
WEST LIBERTY-SALEM 37 WEST JEFFERSON 36
WEST LIBERTY-SALEM (9-9, 7-6)
Louden 3 4-4 13; Hosteler 4 1-2 11; Poppe 2 0-0 4; Logwood 2 0-2 4; Reames 1 0-0 3; Phillips 1 0-0 2. Totals: 10 5-8 37.
WEST JEFFERSON (2-11, 6-13)
Hostetler 6 1-3 16; Buescher 4 0-0 8; Fitzpatrick 1 3-4 6; Collins 2 0-0 4; Clerico 1 0-1 2.
Totals: 14 4-8 36.
Tigers. 6 18 7 6 — 37
Roughriders. 5 6 19 6 — 36
Three pointers: West Liberty-Salem 6 (Louden 3, Hostetler 2, Reames); West Jefferson 4 (Hostetler 3, Fitzpatrick). Team fouls: West Liberty-Salem 9; West Jefferson 10
