BUCYRUS — When rivals meet, regardless of the records or places in the standings, the games are usually played as if a championship was on the line.

Case-in-point is Bucyrus and Wynford. The neighboring schools just two miles apart added to proof of that theory Friday night at Alex Kish Memorial Gymnasium on Phil A. Joseph Court.

The Royals dialed up their defense late and used a 19 of 22 effort from the free throw line to hold off the Redmen, 63-55, in an intense Northern 10 Athletic Conference game.

“They were ready for us,” Wynford coach Adam Guinther said. “I thought we were ready for them.”

The resulting contest supported the coach’s assessment. There were seven ties and 13 lead changes over the first 27 minutes of the game. Neither team led by more than six in that time frame.

The last tie was at 40-40 when Bucyrus’ Da’Shawn Cosey hit a stick-back at the third quarter buzzer to knot the game heading into the final period.

“That was a big momentum booster going into the fourth quarter and turned it into an 8-minute game,” Bucyrus coach Brian Hargis said. “Kudos to them. We played about six and they played eight and that was the end of it.”

It was vital for the Redmen since the Royals had overcome a 28-22 halftime deficit to lead by as many as five in the third quarter. Wynford (5-15, 4-9) started the second half on a 9-0 run.

“That 9-0 run only put us up three, so we hadn’t really separated yet,” Guinther said. “We had gotten back in, and I think we took control a little bit. The difference down the stretch really was us getting up on defense and getting a few turnovers and getting out in transition.”

Hargis agreed. Bucyrus (2-17, 1-10) committed 15 turnovers — six in the pivotal fourth quarter — to just nine for the Royals, one in last period. Wynford also hit seven of eight free throws in the fourth quarter. The Redmen only shot six for the game.

“We said the team that made less mistakes was going to win the game,” Hargis said. “It proved true at the end.”

The Redmen outrebounded the Royals (38-27) and outshot them from the field (44-39 percent). But the free throws and turnovers more than made up for those deficiencies.

Guinther was not anticipating Bucyrus’ defensive deployment.

“They played us more man than I expected,” Guinther said. “I thought they’d play us a little more zone. I know they think we can shoot some. But I expected a little more of that (zone). That surprised us a little bit.”

Hargis had learned his lesson in the first matchup, a 56-53 loss at Wynford where the Royals hit ten 3s.

“If you let their guys catch and shoot in rhythm and you don’t get out on them, they’re going to torch you,” Hargis said. “So, we thought just maintain our space, minimal help, stick to your man, make them be basketball decision makers, not just shooters.”

It worked well for two periods.

“We tried to limit their 3s, which we did a great job of in the first half,” Hargis said. “They had five attempts, zero makes. It got away from us a little in the second half.”

Wynford ended with four successful shots from beyond the arc on 18 tries.

But it was the foul line and notably the play of sophomore Drew Stanek that sealed the game for the Royals in the final eight minutes. Stanek scored 11 of his game-high 23 points in the final frame, including six of six from the line.

“The key to the foul line is getting the right guys there,” Guinther said. “Evan Stacklin, he is struggling from the line this year. But him hitting three of four, that was awesome. That was big for us.”

Bucyrus got 12 points each from the threesome of Charlie Randall, Dylan Coppler, and Carson Witten. Randall had eight rebounds.

“Witten does a great job. He uses his body well,” Guinther said. “Coppler’s a great athlete as well. When you let them get to their spots, that’s key.

“Randall does a great job once he turns that corner getting downhill,” Guinther added. “He’s really gotten better this year. Watching him earlier until now, he has really improved for them.”

Reed Johnson finished with 17 for the Royals to second Stanek, who also grabbed eight boards.

In a display of sportsmanship, each team started with an uncontested layup to allow Bucyrus senior Demaris Munn-Page — who was unable to play this year due to a knee injury incurred in football — to score his only two points. Jace Stuckman got the balance out basket.

“They’re a streaky team. You can’t really judge them on their record,” Hargis said of the Royals. “That’s a pretty good 5-win team.

“I thought my kids fought hard and I’m proud of them for that,” he continued. “Little swings turned out to be the difference.”

“We’ve been in so many ball games this year,” Guinther said. “It was good to tough one out and get a win in those situations. I think we’ve had nine or 10 single-digit losses this year. to some really good teams. I thought we hung in there and showed some grit tonight.”

Box score

Wynford    8    14   18   23 — 63

Bucyrus   10   18    12   15 — 55

Stats

Wynford (5-15, 4-9 N10): Shots 20-51; 3-pt. shots 4-18 (Drew Stanek 2, Reed Johnson, Jace Stuckman); Free throws 19-22; Rebounds 27 (Drew Stanek 8); Turnovers 9. Scoring: Braylon Wells 1 3 5, Jaron Vance 2 4 8, Reed Johnson 8 0 17, Jace Stuckman 3 0 7, Drew Stanek 6 9 23. Evan Stacklin 0 3 3.

Bucyrus (2-17, 1-11 N10): Shots 25-57; 3-pt. shots 1-8 (Lincoln Blizzard); Free throws 4-6; Rebounds 39 (Charlie Randall 8); Turnovers 15. Scoring: Demaris Munn-Page 1 0 2, Charlie Randall 5 2 12, Lincoln Blizzard 1 0 3, Dylan Coppler 6 0 12, Cohen Chapman 2 2 6, Carson Witten 6 0 12, Da’Shawn Cosey 4 0 8.

JV: Wynford 41-37.