Warsaw’s John Swanson (left) goes for the opening tip-off against Filip Serwatka of Concord Friday night. The Minutemen went on to post a 42-31 NLC victory.

WARSAW – Concord took very good care of the basketball Friday night.

The Minutemen, by placing a high premium on possessions, took care of Warsaw in the process to remain undefeated in Northern Lakes Conference play.

Senior standout Franko House scored 13 points and sophomore Filip Serwatka added 12 as Concord clipped the host Tigers 42-31 in league play.

The Minutemen, who improve to 11-1 overall and 4-0 in the NLC, had just five turnovers in the game which saw both teams play at a snail’s pace. Concord, which had just one miscue in the second half, outscored Warsaw 18-3 in points off turnovers as the Tigers had 11 turnovers.

Concord, which had defeated Warsaw 61-46 a year ago, also outscored Warsaw 7-1 from the free throw line. The Minutemen were 7-of-8 from the stripe, while the Tigers went 1-of-1.

Jared Bloom led Warsaw, which drops to 8-6 overall and 2-2 in conference action, with 12 points. The senior standout, who entered the game averaging 17.8 points-per-game, had just two in the second half as the Tigers were outscored 26-16.

Jordan Stookey netted seven points and Taylor Cone had six for the Tigers. Each had five rebounds to tie for team-high honors.

Jared Bloom directs a play for Warsaw while being guarded by DuWhan Alford of Concord Friday night. Bloom led the Tigers with 12 points.

“They are really good and proved it tonight,” said Warsaw coach Doug Ogle of the Minutemen. “They are an unusual team with the combination of size, athleticism and experience they have. Their interior defense is really strong. We’re not used to that kind of athleticism on the inside.

“We had too many unforced turnovers. The biggest thing is we have to improve our ball handing and be stronger with the ball. It wasn’t our defense. It was our offense. We have to take care of the ball better and finish plays.”

Concord, led by the 6-6 House and the 6-5 Serwatka, blocked six shots. The Ball-State bound House swatted away four Tiger offerings.

The Minutemen led 8-7 after the opening quarter and 16-15 at halftime. Serwatka scored eight points in the first half, while Bloom kept the Tigers close with 10.

The start of the second half proved costly to the Tigers. Concord opened the third quarter with five straight points by junior guard Ramon Johnson on a pair of layups and a free throw off Warsaw turnovers to make it 21-15. The Minutemen led 27-21 after the third period. Warsaw got no closer than five points in the final stanza. House scored six points in the final frame, including hitting 4-of-4 free throws in the final 40.9 seconds. The biggest shot of the fourth quarter was a baseline trey by Dylan Wynne that gave Concord a 34-25 lead with 4:16 left.

“We were at a decent spot at halftime,” Ogle said. “The start of the third quarter was bad for us offensively and that hurt us.”

Jordan Stookey lets fly with a baseline jumper during the first half versus Concord Friday night.

Concord coach Steve Austin, who saw his team show patience and poise, was pleased. The Minutemen entered play Friday night averaging 61.4 points-per-game.

“It’s okay,” said Austin of the slow pace and working the clock in the second half. “These are things we need to see that will help us in the long run.

“The turnovers were huge. They make all the difference in the World. It was huge for us to convert off turnovers like we did in the third quarter. Defense wins it for us. Those steals and easy buckets are big momentum changers too.

“In the second half, we wanted to take the air out of the ball and make them come out. To beat us, teams have to stop Franko and they had 2-3 guys around him in the first half when he got it. We wanted to look for No. 54 (Serwatka) a little more in the second half. We brought up being close to Bloom at all times at halftime. He was our focus and we lost him a couple of times in that first half.

“We also talked to our kids about that they can’t foul and they did a nice job with that tonight (only committing nine total fouls). Warsaw has won a lot of games over the years on free throws.”

Warsaw entered play Friday night averaging 60.2 points-per-game. The 31 points for the Tigers Friday night was a season low. The previous lowest offensive output for Ogle’s team was 43 points in a 43-41 NLC home win over Northridge Jan. 4. Concord entered play Friday night allowing 45.8 points-per-game.

Austin, now 74-28 in his fifth year at Concord, collected his 396th career coaching victory Friday night. The longtime South Bend St. Joseph’s and Northridge coach is in his 28th prep season overall.

Concord now sits alone atop the NLC standings at 4-0. Goshen knocked off host NorthWood 55-47 Friday night to hand the Panthers their first league loss. NorthWood and Goshen now sit tied for second in the NLC at 3-1.

Warsaw, after winning five in a row, has now dropped two straight NLC contests. The road is not any easier as the Tigers host NorthWood next Friday.

“Our focus now has to be on getting ready for the sectional,” said Ogle. “It’s five weeks from Monday.”

Warsaw could see Concord again in the Elkhart Sectional the last week of February at North Side Gym.

The Tigers prevailed in the junior varsity contest Friday night by a 28-26 count. Cody Freeman and Jake Mangas each scored six points to lead Warsaw, which outscored the Minutemen 21-18 in the second half. Jonny Hollar had five points for the winners. Danny McMahon led Concord with 14 points.

Warsaw (8-6, 2-2) hosts NorthWood and Concord (11-1, 4-0) hosts Wawasee in NLC action next Friday night.

Junior guard Trae Furnivall of Warsaw works his way past Concord’s Franko House Friday night at WCHS.