By Dan Messerschmidt
MORRAL — Bucyrus has been playing better basketball, especially on offense, in recent weeks.
However, the Redmen were not getting wins to reflect that improvement.
Saturday night at Ridgedale, it finally paid dividends.
After trailing by seven points at halftime, Bucyrus used a 22-point third quarter to propel past the Rockets, 56-47, in a Northern 10 Conference game.
“The kids are really excited,” Bucyrus coach Justin Mattix said. “It’s the first time they’ve won in their new red uniforms.”
The offense, which has been the centerpiece of the Redmen’s improvement, struggled in the early going.
Ridgedale (1-10, 0-8 N10) eased out to a 15-11 lead after one. The defense held Bucyrus (2-9, 1-7) to five of 14 from the field. Connor Lust scored five points to lead the charge.
The Rockets added two points to their advantage in the second period, thanks in part, to the Redmen failing to convert at the free throw line, hitting just three of eight in the first half. Ridgedale took a 27-20 lead to the locker room at intermission.
Ten first-half turnovers also hampered Bucyrus, a recurring theme through the first half of the season.
“It’s the same thing we do every night,” Mattix said of the miscues. “I really don’t know if it matters whether the other team presses us or not. And it’s not just the turnovers, it’s turnovers at key moments.”
The Redmen got the momentum switched to their direction in the third quarter. Harley Robinson scored seven of his points — including two on a dunk — in the frame to awaken the slumbering offense.
Kade Slagle hit a pair of 3-point shots in the period, the second of which gave Bucyrus the lead for good at 37-34 with 1:26 left in the third quarter.
“Credit Ridgedale, they put up a good fight,” Mattix said. “In the third quarter, we finally got some separation.”
The Redmen finished out the third quarter on a 3 by Ryan Evans at the buzzer to push their lead to 42-34. Bucyrus led by as many as 16, at 52-36, on a pair of free throws by Robinson with 2:54 left.
The Rockets rallied to outscore the Redmen 11-4 from that point, but it was too little, too late.
Evans finished with a game-high 16 points for the Bucyrus and Robinson added 12. Ben Seibert and Robinson grabbed seven rebounds each.
Austin Price topped Ridgedale with 13 points, while Clayton Lust and Connor Lust added 10 each. Connor Lust had eight rebounds.
“It was good to get a win,” Mattix said. “We’re happy with it, but we’re never satisfied.”
Bucyrus 56, Ridgedale 47
Bucyrus 11 9 22 14 — 56
Ridgedale 15 12 7 13 — 47
Stats
Bucyrus (2-9, 1-7 N10): Shots 19-42; 3-pt. 4-10 (Ryan Evans 2, Kade Slagle 2); Free throws 14-24; Rebounds 35 (Harley Robinson 7); Turnovers 20. Scoring: Gram Dick 0 4 4, Harley Robinson 3 6 12, Derrick Heinlen 0 3 3, Brad Seibert 2 0 4, Ryan Evans 7 0 16, Kade Slagle 3 1 9, Kyle Hamm 4 0 8.
Ridgedale (1-10, 0-8 N10) Shots 19-56; 3-pt 3-14 (Adam Beard 2, Austin Price); Free throws 6-13; Rebounds 32 (Connor Lust 8); Turnovers 16. Scoring: Clayton Lust 4 2 10, Lucas Mattix 1 0 2, Sam Leach 3 0 6, Adam Beard 2 0 6, Connor Lust 4 2 10, Austin Price 5 2 13.