WARSAW – The Warsaw boys basketball team for the second straight night simply could not put the ball in the bucket Saturday.

The homecourt hoops did not prove kind as the cold-shooting Tigers dropped a 44-36 final to Huntington North in a non-conference matchup in the Tiger Den.

Warsaw, one night after a poor offensive performance in a loss to Homestead in its home opener, dug a huge hole versus the Vikings.

Huntington North, which improves to 4-0, led 16-3 after the opening period and were up 28-8 at halftime. The Vikings connected on 11-16 shots in the opening half, including 5-7 from 3-point land.

The Tigers shot just 3-19 from the field in the opening half, including going 1-9 from 3-point range. Warsaw was 3-10 from the field in the first half versus Homestead Friday night in falling behind 24-11 en route to a 56-38 loss.

Warsaw did put up a comeback attempt in the second half. The hosts trailed 34-8 before closing the third quarter with an 8-0 run to make it 34-16. The Tigers outscored the Vikings 20-10 in the final frame, but it was not enough to overcome the huge deficit.

“We can’t afford to wait until half way through the third quarter to start playing with some energy and resolve,” said Warsaw coach Doug Ogle. “We shot poorly too and that did not help.”

Ogle did found a positive in the fact that his team put together a 20-0 scoring run in the final half to get back into the game.

“Getting back in the gam with the 20-0 run at least lets us know we are capable of playing better,” added Ogle.

Junior Tyler Metzinger led the offense for Warsaw, which falls to 2-2, with nine points.

Junior Nolan Groninger had eight points and four assists for the Tigers. Sophomore Brian Elliott scored seven points and the trio of seniors Jack Rhoades and Zach Riley and junior Jaylen Reese each finished with four points.

Riley, a 6-2 guard, led the team with 10 rebounds.

Warsaw shot 12-51 overall from the field, including just 3-21 from distance. The hosts were 9-10 from the free throw line. The Tigers shot 11-31 from the field Friday night, including 5-16 from long range.

Zach Daughtery led Huntington North with 15 points. Trey Williams had 10 for the Vikings, who were coming off of a 49-46 win over Southwood Friday night.

Huntington North, which beat Homestead 69-46 in the season opener Nov. 22, shot 14-27 from the field and 5-10 from 3-point range. The Vikings were 11-18 from the free throw line.

The Vikings snapped a four-game losing skid to the Tigers and now lead the all-time series by a 48-47 count. Warsaw, which beat Huntington North 44-40 in overtime last year, has won nine of the last 11 meetings. The Vikings’ last win in the series prior to Saturday night was a 58-53 victory in 2013.

The Warsaw junior varsity team crushed Huntington North 65-27. The JV Tigers outscored their guests 39-10 in the second half. Wyatt Amiss had 12 points, Blake Marsh 11 and Keegan Larsh 10 to lead the winners. Aides Hosler and Deven Newcomb each had seven points to pace the Vikings.

Warsaw plays at Lake Central Friday night. Huntington North hosts Manchester next Saturday night.