Tioga County Sports ReportBINGHAMTON — Owego turned in stellar defensive effort for three quarter, then stepped it up a notch for the final eight minutes in a 51-35 win over Chenango Valley here Saturday in STAC Central Division boys basketball action.
"The boys turned in a tremendous defensive effort," said Owego coach Chris Evans.
The Warriors led 13-12 after the opening stanza, but Carter Rieg scored six points in the second quarter, and Jack Buchsbaum knocked down a 3-pointer and scored five points to fuel a 14-8 spurt to give the River Hawks a 26-21 lead at the halftime break.
The Warriors used a 10-8 advantage in the third quarter to close the gap to 34-31 entering the final eight minutes.
Rieg, Joseph Palladino, and Kingston Brainard each connected on 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, while the River Hawks allowed just one field goal in a game-closing 17-4 blitz.
Rieg led Owego with 15 points, while Buchsbaum scored 13 points, Palladino had seven points, and Matt Higgins and Brainard added four points apiece.
Owego, now 5-4, hosts Chenango Forks Tuesday.
