COLUMBUS
Whiteland had things going its way early Saturday night, but Columbus North awoke just in time to rally for its fifth consecutive victory.
The Warriors led 50-46 with 4½ minutes left in the game before the Bull Dogs finished the game on a 19-6 run to claim a 65-56 victory.
“As I look back at the game, I think crucial turnovers in key situations hurt us,” Whiteland coach Matt Wadsworth said. “When you’re on the road against a good team, you have to find a way to win. Mental toughness is important.”
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The Warriors (6-9) jumped out to a 17-8 lead less than 6 minutes into the game and led 19-10 after one quarter, thanks to nine points in the period from Brennan Neal.
The Bull Dogs (10-6) rallied to tie the game at 21 midway through the second quarter. After a couple of lead changes, Whiteland took a 29-27 lead into halftime.
The Warriors maintained the two-point lead at 43-41 after three quarters. They built the lead to 50-46 before North made its comeback.
“There’s the attack-mode mentality,” Wadsworth said. “I thought Columbus North did a good job with their press slowing our offense. When we did pass (ahead) against the press, sometimes we were slow to attack and take advantage of situations.”
Neal and Carter Crowe each scored 20 points for Whiteland. Cole Ferguson grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Warriors to a 22-19 advantage on the boards.
Whiteland held the Bull Dogs’ leading scorer, Blake Barker, to six points and sharpshooter Bailey Hester to three. But that opened space for Jaylen Flemmons, who scored a career-high 27, and Trey Vincent, who added 21.
“With Columbus North, it’s kind of pick your poison,” Wadsworth said. “We did a good job defensively on Barker and Hester, but the attention that we put on those two guys allowed Vincent and Flemmons to get to the rim.”