Chagrin Falls used a stingy defense to take control of its conference showdown against visiting Orange and went on to win on Friday, 60-50.
The Tigers outscored the Lions in the first half, 33-8, then held on as the Lions made a run in the final 16 minutes of play.
“We played a terrific first half of basketball,” Chagrin Falls coach Dave Bargar said. “We defended well, holding them to only eight points, plus, we moved the ball extremely well leading to good shot opportunities.”
Orange increased its intensity in the second half, which led to more scoring opportunities.
The Lions outscored the Tigers in the third and fourth quarters, 42-27, but the first half deficit was too much to overcome.
“It was a tale of two halves,” Bargar said. “The second half, we turned the ball over too much, which gave Orange some momentum. Fortunately, we were able to make enough plays down the stretch to secure the win.”
Josh North led Chagrin Falls with 18 points, Jenson Yonker added nine and Matthew Suzelis contributed to the win with seven.
Nick Walters scored a game-high 25 points for the Lions while Harrison Pyner finished with nine.
Chagrin Falls improved to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division. The Tigers travel to Perry on Jan. 8.
Orange dropped to 2-5, 2-2. The Lions host Geneva on Tuesday.
Chagrin Falls 60, Orange 50
Orange (2-5, 2-2 CVC Chagrin): Bonner 3, Walters 25, Pyner 9, Minor 4, Hughes 2, Fisher 3, King 4
Chagrin Falls (5-3, 3-2 CVC Chagrin): Vandertill 6, Owen 4, Suzelis 7, Norton 18, Amendola 2, Perez 4, Zaluski 6, Yonker 9, Weiss 4
Orange 4 4 24 18 — 50
Chagrin Falls 19 14 17 10 — 60
Free throws: Orange 4 of 9, Chagrin Falls 9 of 12; 3-pointers: Orange 6 (Walters 3, Pynor, Fisher, Bonner), Chagrin Falls 5 (Vandertill 2, Suzelis, Norton, Perez); Rebounds: Orange 23, Chagrin Falls 27 (Weiss 5)
