Navs steer Indians to 60-52 loss

Navs steer Indians to 60-52 loss

By GEORGE KUNKE

KOPLITZ FIELD HOUSE – South Bend nearly notched its first win of the season but an 11-0 run was too much to overcome during a 60-52 loss to Northwest Christian before a crowd of about 300 at Koplitz Field House on Homecoming Saturday night.

"I thought we played our best all-around game of the season,” South Bend HS Head Boys’ Basketball Coach Tom Betrozoff told the Herald. “We played pretty well in every phase of the game. We let it get away during the first part of the third quarter, but the kids battled back from 13 down (46-33) to close it to three points with about 40 seconds left to give us a chance to tie or win.”

The Indians led 16-11 after the first quarter on the strength of seven points by Miles Davis. Davis displayed his versatility with a midrange J, a beautiful reverse layup flip and a trey.

South Bend took a 27-26 into the locker room at halftime. Austin Lewis led the charge for the Tribe with eight points in the quarter.

Leading 29-28, the Navigators went on an 11-0 run for a 40-28 lead. Austin Koukal, who led all scorers with 23 points, drained eight points and two treys during the assault. Christian led 44-33 heading into the fourth quarter. 

Trailing 46-33, the young Tribe outscored NC 12-1 to close to within two at 47-45. Zane Johnson made two flashy drives in the paint for the two last buckets in the run.

Koukal swished two free throws for a 49-45 lead. Davis swished a trey from 27 feet away and the Indians had new life, though still trailing at 55-52. But Tanner Bodine scored the games’ final five points on a free throw and two uncontested layups after a drive and a steal for another hoop.

“Mitch Edwards did a nice job rebounding with 12 and Angel Diaz handed out seven assists,” Betrozoff noted. “Miles Davis and Justin Elliott had a nice night offensively. Tyson Johnson had to set out the last quarter and half of the game with an injury. We certainly could have used him down the stretch. We have come a long way since the beginning of the season considering our inexperience and never-ending injuries we’ve had to deal with."

Justin Elliott led SBHS in scoring with 15 points and Miles Davis scored 14. Andrew Kier fired in 18 points for the Navigators (3-11 and 2-5).

With the defeat, the Indians are 0-7 in the Pacific league and 0-15 overall.

The Indians committed 19 turnovers and sank only 11 of 23 foul shots while Christian was canning 18 of 27.

Montesano  60, South Bend 30

Montesano doubled the score on visiting South Bend 60-30 last Monday night (Jan. 8). The Bulldogs (6-4) held the Indians scoreless in the first quarter while taking a 20-0 lead.

Davis led all scorers with 18 points and Elliott added nine points for the Tribe. 

South Bend visits league leading Raymond Thursday, ventures to Ocosta Saturday, and hosts North Beach Tuesday (Jan. 22).