Bruins Blister Nets To Top Tigers
WARSAW – It’s probably safe to say that the Warsaw boys basketball team has seen enough of Fort Wayne teams this season.
The Tigers suffered just their third loss of the season, all against teams from the Summit City, Saturday night in dropping a 56-49 final to Fort Wayne Northrop.
Warsaw, which drops to 13-3 on the season, also suffered its first loss at home this season. The Tigers are now 7-1 in the Tiger Den this season. Warsaw has lost to Homestead (60-59), Snider (48-40) and now Northrop.
The Bruins started strong in taking a 22-13 lead after the opening quarter. Northrop led 29-22 at halftime.
Warsaw simply could not overcome a torrid second-half shooting effort by the Bruins. The Tigers got within 44-39 after three periods of play, but were outscored 12-10 in the final frame.
Northrop shot 23-37 overall from the field in the win, including a sizzling 11-15 in the final half. The Bruins were 5-10 from 3-point range and also 5-10 from the free throw line.
The Tigers were without starting guard Paul Marandet, one of the team’s top defensive players. Marandet was sidelined by the flu Saturday night.
“Northrop played really well,” said Warsaw coach Doug Ogle. “They shot 62 percent from the field for the game. I was impressed with how they played in general. They caught us at a good time with Paul at home with the flu.
“I was proud of our players for cutting the lead to five to start the fourth quarter. They made too many shots for us to get back in it.
“We have to move on to NorthWood as they come in to the Tiger Den Friday for a meaningful NLC game.”
Kyle Mangas led the way for Warsaw with 13 points. Rashaan Jackson scored 12 points and Jake Mangas 11. Nick Sands netted eight points and Tim Swanson five.
Jagger Surface scored a game-high 18 points for the Bruins. Richard Robertson had 11 and Aaron Thomas 10 for the winners.
Warsaw shot 19-39 for the game from the field, including 5-11 from distance. The hosts were 6-7 from the line.
Warsaw won the junior varsity game 57-43. Ross Johnson had 12 points and Evan Schmidt 11 for the Tigers.
Warsaw, which is 3-0 in the Northern Lakes Conference, welcomes in NorthWood for a huge league game Friday night. The Panthers are 12-1 overall and 4-0 in the NLC after their program record-tying 11th straight win Friday night in a 61-55 NLC decision over Goshen.
Northrop plays at Fort Wayne South on Friday night.