Tioga County Sports ReportOWEGO — Owego's defense played an integral part, especially down the stretch, in its 49-44 win over Waverly here Friday night in STAC Central Division boys basketball action.
Owego hit a trio of 3-pointers — two by Joseph Palladino and one by Kingston Brainard — and led 14-11 after the first quarter.
Waverly's Fletcher Good scored nine points in the second quarter to spark a 15-11 spurt for the Wolverines, who took a 26-25 lead into the halftime locker room.
Hogan Shaw and Ronin Ault each canned 3-pointers in the third quarter, and junior Carter Davies added an old-fashion three-point play for Waverly, but Jack Buchsbaum and Carter Rieg scored four points apiece for the River Hawks, who outscored Waverly, 14-10, to take a 39-36 lead into the final eight minutes.
Owego led by as many as six points in the fourth quarter, but a 3-pointer by Shaw with 4:15 remaining closed the gap to 46-44. However, the River Hawks held the Wolverines scoreless the remainder of the game. Palladino and Rieg connected on key 3-pointers in the closing minutes.
Palladino led a balanced Owego attack with 11 points, while Rieg scored nine, Brainard had eight, Zack Bensley had seven, Matt Higgins added six and Buchsbaum chipped in with four.
Shaw led Waverly with 14 points.
Owego, now 7-4, hosts Susquehanna Valley Friday.
—————————
IN PHOTO 1: Owego's Jack Buchsbaum. IN TOP PHOTO: Owego's Kingston Brainard. ... PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.
