Staff writer
Playing on the road Feb. 3, the Cougars lost a heart-stopper to Solomon, 55-53. Trevor Troutt scored 19 points, followed by Konley Harding, with 13.
In Friday’s non-league contest at home, Lebo defeated Centre, 53-44.
The Cougars kept it close almost all the way, staying within winning distance until the last few minutes of the fourth quarter.
Lebo struck first with a steal and a lay-up. Nolan Brunner made two consecutive goals to give Centre a 4-2 lead. The team had the lead several more times in the first quarter and trailed 12-15 at the end.
After a 16-21 deficit at halftime, the Cougars came back to tie the game, 34-all, at the end of the third quarter.
They took a one-point lead, 37-36, in the first minute of the fourth quarter, after Konley Harding made a three-point shot.
That proved to be their final lead of the game. Lebo scored seven unanswered points to give them a solid lead. Centre came back to get within four but trailed by as much as 10 points before losing by nine.
The major difference in the game was at the free-throw line, where Lebo completed 11-of-25 compared to Centre’s 6-of-14.
Trevor Troutt led Centre’s scoring, with 19 points, and provided seven rebounds. Harding also scored in double figures, with 13 points.
Individual statistics
Solomon 55, Centre 53
Two-point goals: Alex Hajek 2-2, Rustyn Kerbs 0-1, Canh Antoszyk 0-3, Brian Burhoop 1-4, James Weber 2-6, Konley Harding 2-9, Tanner Brunner 1-1, Trevor Troutt 7-11.
Three-point goals: Kerbs 1-3, Antoszyk 1-2, Burhoop 0-3, Harding 3-6, Brunner 0-1.
Free throws: Antoszyk 0-1, Burhoop 3-4, Weber 0-2, Troutt 5-8.
Total points: Hajek 4, Kerbs 3, Antoszyk 3, Burhoop 5, Weber 4, Harding 13, Brunner 2, Troutt 19.
Assists: Hajek 2, Antoszyk 1, Burhoop 2, Troutt 1.
Rebounds: Hajek 7, Kerbs 2, Antoszyk 2, Burhoop 3, Weber 6, Harding 6, Brunner 2, Troutt 9.
Steals: Kerbs 1, Harding 1, Brunner 1, Troutt 3.
Turnovers: Hajek 1, Kerbs 4, Antoszyk 5, Burhoop 2, Harding 1, Brunner 3.
Lebo 53, Centre 44
Two-point goals: Alex Hajek 2-3, Rustyn Kerbs 1-1, Canh Antoszyk 0-1, Brian Burhoop 0-3, James Weber 5-6, Konley Harding 1-9, Tanner Brunner 3-4, Trevor Troutt 4-9.
Three-point goals: Kerbs 1-3, Antoszyk 0-2, Burhoop 0-1, Harding 1-5, Brunner 0-1.
Free throws: Hajek 0-3, Kerbs 0-1, Weber 2-2, Harding 2-4, Troutt 2-4.
Total points: Hajek 4, Kerbs 5, Weber 12, Harding 7, Brunner 6, Troutt 10.
Assists: Hajek 1, Kerbs 1, Antoszyk 1, Troutt 1.
Rebounds: Hajek 5, Antoszyk 1, Burhoop 3, Weber 5, Harding 2, Brunner 4, Troutt 7.
Steals: Burhoop 2, Harding 2, Brunner 4.
Blocks: Hajek 2.
Turnovers: Hajek 1, Kacey Hanschu 1, Burhoop 3, Weber 1, Harding 2, Brunner 2.