West Liberty-Salem’s boys basketball team grabbed an early lead and fended off visiting Benjamin Logan late Satuday for a 56-50 non-league win.
The Tigers boost their record to 8-5 on the season, while the Raiders fall to 5-9.
It was a tight battle in the first half as WL-Salem grabbed a 14-12 lead at the end of the opening quarter. The Tigers were able to edge the Raiders 15-14 in the second quarter to hold a 29-26 advantage at halftime.
WL-Salem expanded its lead in the third quarter with a 13-8 run. That pushed the Tigers out to a 42-34 cushion. Ben Logan attempted to rally in the fourth quarter with a 16-14 run, but came up short.
The Tigers’ offense was sparked by Kannon Stillings with a game-high 19 points. Dillon Callicoat had nine points and Neil Markin chipped in eight points.
Grant Ward led Ben Logan’s efforts with 13 points. Austin VanBuskirk had 11 points and Konner Caudill added 10 points.
In junior varsity action, WL-Salem defeated Ben Logan 42-37. Cody King led the Tigers with 15 points.
WL-Salem is back on the court Tuesday at Riverside for a local non-league game. Ben Logan hosts Greenon on Friday in a CBC Mad River division matchup.
WL-SALEM 56, BEN LOGAN 50
BEN LOGAN (5-9)
Ward 6 1-4 13; Brown 2 0-1 4; Jones 0 2-2 2; Schmidt 2 1-2 6; Rockhold 2 0-0 4; VanBuskirk 3 3-3 11; Caudill 2 4-4 10. Totals: 17 11-16 50.
WL-SALEM (8-5)
Markin 3 2-2 8; Callicoat 3 0-0 9; Stillings 7 5-8 19; Louden 2 0-0 5; King 2 0-0 5; Miller 0 2-2 2; Eggleston 2 0-0 4; Schultz 1 0-0 2; Burden 1 0-0 2. Totals: 21 9-12 56.
Raiders1214816 — 50
Tigers14151314—56
Three pointers: Ben Logan 5 (VanBuskirk 2, Caudill 2, Schmidt); WL-Salem 5 (Callicoat 3, Louden, King). Team fouls: Ben Logan 14; WL-Salem 18.