DARLINGTON - How you finish is often the determining factor in the outcome of a game. For the Darlington boys basketball team and coach Michael Hopkins, the second half of their game against Boscobel was the difference in a 55-49 loss.
"We're still trying to figure out what happened in the second half," Hopkins said.
After holding a seven-point lead at halftime, the Redbirds weren't able to fight off the Bulldogs second-half rallly.
"I told our players that they (Boscobel) would probably come out in the second half with more intensity, and that's exactly what happened tonight," said Hopkins.
With the loss, Darlington falls even with Boscobel in conference play, but the Bulldogs retain the overall better record.
"It's a little disappointing, especially since we're both even now in conference, but they have the advantage with a better record," said Hopkins. "Right now, they (Boscobel) are in a better position for the postseason."
Cade Hardyman scored a team-high 21 points for the Redbirds. Ben Muhlstein added 12 points.
Beloit Turner 53, Brodhead 39
BELOIT - After suffering a lopsided non-conference loss against McFarland on Monday, the Brodhead boys basketball team squandered a two-point halftime lead in a loss to conference foe Beloit Turner, 53-39.
The Cardinals picked up the pace in the second quarter with a 19-point effort, giving them the halftime lead.
However the momentum didn't carry over into the second half for Brodhead, as they were outscored 31-15. Ned Slocum led the Cardinals with 17 points.
Pecatonica 53, Belmont 33
PECATONICA - Junior Drew Schliem had 19 points for the Pecatonica boys basketball team in their 53-33 victory over Belmont.
Throughout the first half, both teams traded baskets, and by halftime the Vikings held a one-point advantage.
Pecatonica was able to ramp up the intensity outscoring the Barves 31-12 in the second half.
Pecatonica freshman A.J. Hendrickson added 12 points. Pec pulls to an even record (9-9, 3-4) with the win.
"We're still trying to figure out what happened in the second half," Hopkins said.
After holding a seven-point lead at halftime, the Redbirds weren't able to fight off the Bulldogs second-half rallly.
"I told our players that they (Boscobel) would probably come out in the second half with more intensity, and that's exactly what happened tonight," said Hopkins.
With the loss, Darlington falls even with Boscobel in conference play, but the Bulldogs retain the overall better record.
"It's a little disappointing, especially since we're both even now in conference, but they have the advantage with a better record," said Hopkins. "Right now, they (Boscobel) are in a better position for the postseason."
Cade Hardyman scored a team-high 21 points for the Redbirds. Ben Muhlstein added 12 points.
Beloit Turner 53, Brodhead 39
BELOIT - After suffering a lopsided non-conference loss against McFarland on Monday, the Brodhead boys basketball team squandered a two-point halftime lead in a loss to conference foe Beloit Turner, 53-39.
The Cardinals picked up the pace in the second quarter with a 19-point effort, giving them the halftime lead.
However the momentum didn't carry over into the second half for Brodhead, as they were outscored 31-15. Ned Slocum led the Cardinals with 17 points.
Pecatonica 53, Belmont 33
PECATONICA - Junior Drew Schliem had 19 points for the Pecatonica boys basketball team in their 53-33 victory over Belmont.
Throughout the first half, both teams traded baskets, and by halftime the Vikings held a one-point advantage.
Pecatonica was able to ramp up the intensity outscoring the Barves 31-12 in the second half.
Pecatonica freshman A.J. Hendrickson added 12 points. Pec pulls to an even record (9-9, 3-4) with the win.