COLUMBIA CITY – Warsaw boys basketball coach Doug Ogle was hoping his team would show “significant” improvement from game one to game two.

He got his wish Saturday night.

Ogle’s Tigers bounced back from a disappointing season-opening loss to clip Columbia City 46-35.

Jake Mangas powered in 15 points and Paul Marandet turned in an outstanding all-around game to lead the Warsaw win.

The Tigers, who lost 54-52 at Tippecanoe Valley Wednesday night on a putback basket at the final horn, avoided the program’s first 0-2 start since 1987 with the victory.

“It’s a good confidence building win for us,” said Ogle in a phone interview Sunday afternoon. “Our guys have enough competitive spirit that they responded pretty well. I’m encouraged.”

The Tigers started strong and finished fast to top the Eagles. City, which won 59-49 at Warsaw last season, drops to 1-1. The Eagles opened their season with a 49-31 win at Whitko Wednesday night.

“We got off to a good start up like 10-2 and then had a strong fourth quarter,” noted Ogle, whose team outscored City 18-10 in the final period of play. “I thought we played much better offensively and defensively than on Wednesday at Valley. We were more patient on offense.”

The Tigers, who graduated three starters from last year’s 13-11 team, led 12-6 after the opening period Saturday night. Warsaw was up 21-17 at intermission and 28-25 at the end of the third quarter.

Mangas, a 6-2 junior, had 15 points on 5-7 shooting from the field and 5-9 from the line. Marandet, a 5-11 sophomore point guard, had a great performance with seven points to go with five rebounds, five assists, five steals and just one turnover.

“Jake and Paul both played really well for us,” said Ogle. “I’m happy for Jake. He’s made great strides. Paul was a different player from Wednesday night. He had a strong all-around game. When you get those kind of numbers from your point guard, you’re going to be in good shape.”

Senior Jordan Stookey, the most experienced returnee for the Tigers, had 10 points. Senior Nate Pearl scored seven points, junior Tim Swanson three and juniors Peyton Long and Rashaan Jackson two each.

Braden Hazen scored 19 points and Mason Coverstone had 10 to lead Columbia City.

Warsaw shot 15-32 from the field, including 3-10 on 3-point tries. Columbia City was 10-30, including 3-15 on trey attempts. The Eagles were just 4-18 from the field in the second half, while Warsaw was 6-14. The Tigers were 13-19 from the line and City was 12-15.

A huge stat Saturday night was the difference in turnovers. Warsaw had just eight miscues in the contest, while the Eagles had 20.

The Warsaw junior varsity squad improved to 2-0 with a 35-30 win over the Eagles. Kyle Mangas scored 19 points and Luke Wilson 10 for the JV Tigers.

Warsaw hosts Homestead Friday and Huntington North Saturday. Columbia City plays at Fort Wayne Northrop Friday.