Bellefontaine’s girls basketball team used a strong defensive effort to grind out a 31-20 win over visiting Springfield Shawnee on Saturday in Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail division action.
The Chieftains are now 4-1 overall and start CBC play off at 1-0. The Braves drop to 2-4, 0-1.
Bellefontaine held a 9-4 lead after the opening quarter and carried a 13-8 advantage into halftime.
Shawnee edged BHS 6-4 in the third quarter, but still trailed 17-14.
The Chieftains found a late scoring surge in the fourth quarter, going on a 14-6 run to seal the victory.
Hannah Rader and Carmen Shumaker led the Chieftains with eight points each, Caitlyn Shumaker had six points and Rylie Fullerton added five points.
In junior varsity action, Bellefontaine bounced Shawnee 35-5. Emma Middaugh led the Chieftains with 10 points.
Bellefontaine travels to Indian Lake on Wednesday for a local matchup.
BELLEFONTAINE 31, SPRING. SHAWNEE 20
SHAWNEE (2-4, 0-1)
H. Meeks 0 2-2 2; Barnes 1 0-0 2; A. Meeks 2 4-4 8; Malarky 2 2-2 6; Ballard 1 0-0 2. Totals: 6 8-8 20.
BELLEFONTAINE (4-1, 1-0)
Cai. Shumaker 3 0-2 6; Fullerton 2 0-0 5; Kenner 1 0-0 2; Rader 3 2-4 8; Car. Shumaker 2 4-6 8; Vigansky 1 0-0 2. Totals: 12 6-12 31.
Braves 4 • 4 • 6 • 6 — 20
Chiefs 9 • 4 • 4 • 14 — 31
Three pointers: Shawnee 0; Bellefontaine 1 (Fullerton). Team fouls: Shawnee 14; Bellefontaine 10.