Tiger boys fall to Gophers

The homestanding Waynesfield-goshen boys basketball team lost 63-50 to Ridgemont in a Northwest Central Conference game Friday night.

Waynesfield fell to to 2-9 overall and 0-3 in the NWCC after the loss. Meanwhile, the Gophers improved to 5-6 and stayed first in NWCC play at 3-0 with the win.

Hot-shooting Ridgemont raced to a 2811 lead after the first period. The Tigers inched back within 38-26 at halftime, and cut the deficit to 47-38 heading into the fourth quarter.

But the Gophers kept W-G at bay with a 17-11 final period as they sank 12 of 18 from the foul line.

“We had a terrible first quarter and it felt like Ridgemont made everything,” said Tiger head coach Nate Swaney. “Our guys did a great job of scratching and clawing to get back in it.

“We cut it to two points twice in the third quarter with open looks to take the lead; they just didn’t fall,” he continued. “Ridgemont then made their free throws in the fourth to seal it.”

Jayden Elliott led W-G with 15 points. Carson Barnes netted 10 points, and Roman James added eight markers.

Kolton Manns led the Gophers with 13 points, while Donovan Brose added a dozen markers.

W-G made 18 field goals, with one triple and 17 deuces. The Tigers converted 13 of 24 free throws (54 percent).

The Tigers committed 11 turnovers, while the Gophers were guilty of 20 miscues.

Ridgemont connected on 19 two-point goals and hit four triples for a total of 23 baskets. The Gophers sank 13 of 23 at the foul line (57 percent).

1 2 3 4F

Rmnt 28 10 8 17 63 W-G 11 15 13 11 50

Waynesfield visits Mississinawa Valley Saturday, Jan. 14.