12/5/13 At Wahoo

Wahoo 55
Bennington 52

The Wahoo Warriors defeated the Bennington Badgers 55-52 in the opening game of the season on Thursday night.

Bennington led 11-10 after one quarter. The Badgers lead grew to 7 at 23-16 midway through the second quarter. A Jake Scheef block and lay up, followed by a Josh Langemeier trey cut the lead to 23-21. After a Bennington trey, Jake Ruzicka answered with a trey from the corner to cut the lead to 2. A Ben Scheef basket to close the half cut the Badger lead to 32-29 at halftime.

In the third quarter, a Jake Scheef basket, and a Josh Langemeier lay up gave Wahoo it’s first lead since early in the game at 33-32. A Ben Scheef free throw at the end of the third put Wahoo up 43-42 after three.

The Warriors trailed 50-47 with 4:00 to play. Jake Scheef’s basket followed by his trey from the corner put Wahoo up 52-50 with 2:30 left. Jake Ruzicka added a free throw to push the lead to 53-50 with 1:20 left. The Badgers scored with 40 seconds left to cut the lead to 53-52. Following a Warrior turnover, the Badgers missed a trey with 15 seconds left. Jake Scheef got the rebound, was fouled and made both free throws with 10 seconds left to make it 55-52. The Badgers then missed a trey with 2 seconds left, and the Warriors escaped with the win.

The Warriors got outrebounded 39-27, but forced 18 Badger turnovers while committing just 10.

Jake Scheef led Wahoo with 25 points, 9 boards, and 4 steals. Josh Langemeier had 11 points. Ben Scheef had 7 points and 6 boards. Gavin Iversen added 6 points, 4 assists and 7 steals.

The Warriors travel to Seward on Saturday afternoon to take on the Bluejays!