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Rockets rely on perimeter shooting to get past Colby

Rockets rely on perimeter shooting to get past Colby Rockets rely on perimeter shooting to get past Colby

Spencer once again played long ball against Colby on Jan. 16, canning eight shots from 3-point range on the night on its way to a 59-54 Eastern Cloverbelt Conference road win at Colby. In outscoring the Hornets 24-9 from behind the 3-point line, Spencer was able to push its ECC record to 7-1 at the halfway mark of the league season, and stay within a half-game of Neillsville for the top spot in the standings.

With Harley Schmelzer (11 points) and Noah Robida (seven) propelling Colby’s offense in the first half, the Hornets took a 31-27 lead into the halftime locker room. Eric Ehlert helped keep Spencer close with a 12-point half that included a pair of 3-pointers.

After the break, it was senior point guard Brett Kasch’s turn. He buried a trio of 3-pointers early in the half to give him five total on the night, and Spencer made up the deficit and had the score tied at 46-46 with 3:30 to go. Colby went cold from that point on, and Spencer hit key free throws down the stretch to finish with a 13-8 run to put it in the win column.

Kasch scored 23 points in the game and Ehlert complemented him with 15. Normally high-scoring guard Austin Bacon was limited to eight points, but the eight 3-pointers carried the offense. Spencer was 7-12 at the freethrow line.

The Rockets were able to grind through the first half of their ECC schedule with only one setback, a 63-46 loss at Neillsville on Jan. 10. Spencer will have a chance to avenge that loss when the two teams meet again on Feb. 18 in Spencer. The Rockets are next in action on Jan. 24 at Granton (7:30 p.m. start time).

Greenwood 58 Owen-Withee 52

The Indians had a balanced offensive attack with four players scoring in double figures in a Jan. 16 ECC road win. The game was tight throughout and the Indians trailed by a point at the half.

Three-point shooting carried the night for Greenwood. Nathan Revier buried three shots from behind the arc and Westen Schmitz and Cooper Bredlau each had a pair. Greenwood outscored the Blackhawks 21-9 from downtown. The Indians could have helped themselves more from the line as it went 13-23 in the game. Owen-Withee was 9-15.

Schmitz scored 15 points to lead Greenwood, Treyton Thomas had 14, Revier scored 13 and Bredlau added 12.

Aaron Ovyn scored 13 points for Owen-Withee and Carter Klabon chipped in a dozen.

ROSS PATTERMANN/TRIBUNE PHONOGRAPH PHOTO

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