Boys basketball: Upper Scioto Valley tops Perry to stay unbeaten in NWCC play

McGUFFEY — It’s been quite a while since Perry lost a Northwest Central Conference boys basketball game.

The last time Perry lost an NWCC contest was during the 2017-18 season, when Upper Scioto Valley handed the Commodores a conference loss.

Friday night, Upper Scioto Valley managed to end Perry’s conference winning streak as it led from start to finish, en route to a 54-39 victory over Perry in a key NWCC boys basketball matchup at Alumni Fieldhouse.

With the win, USV remains unbeaten in the NWCC with a 3-0 conference mark and an overall record of 8-3. Perry slips to 2-1 in the NWCC and 5-9 overall.

USV was very balanced Friday night.

Alex Sanders and Drew Stephens each scored 17 points for USV. Sanders also had a game-high 11 rebounds, along with a block and two assists. Stephens had two 3-pointers and was 7 of 8 shooting from the free throw line. Maddox Underwood had 16 points, including two 3-pointers. Underwood also pulled down nine boards and had two steals.

“I couldn’t be prouder of how they came out and executed, defensively,” USV head coach Dre White said. “That’s a tough guard. They’re explosive. … They’re quick. We knew they were going to be at full strength. They have been dealing with injuries and such. When they’re at full strength, they are a tough guard.”

Ayden Simpson led Perry with 16 points, five rebounds and two blocks. Kameron Moore added eight points for the Commodores.

USV jumped out to an early 6-0 lead to start the contest.

Perry’s first points of the game came at the 4:53 mark of the first quarter, when Jason Thomas (four points, five boards) hit two free throws to cut the USV lead to 6-2.

The Rams pulled out to a 14-9 lead by the first stop.

Stephens led USV with seven first-quarter points.

Perry was just 1 of 10 shooting from the field in the first eight minutes of action.

The Commodores’ offensive struggles continued the rest of the first half.

The Rams led 30-14 at the halftime break.

Perry was just 2 of 17 from the field in the first half for 12-percent shooting.

USV was 12 of 32 from the floor for 38-percent shooting.

The Rams were led by Underwood and Sanders in the first 16 minutes of action. Underwood had 10 points and eight rebounds. Sanders had 10 points and five boards for the Rams.

“I think in the first half, they (Perry) had 14 points, but 10 of those were free throws,” White said. “I think we held them to two field goals the entire half. I’m super proud of our guys for that.”

Perry cut the deficit to nine points, twice in the third quarter. However, USV responded and pulled out to a 42-28 lead by the third stop.

Stephens had two 3-pointers in the third for USV.

“In the second half, they (Perry) came out and had two field goals in the first minute or so. I think they cut it to nine,” White said. “Then, when it became crunch time and it was tight, our guys came together and made some plays.”

For the game, Perry shot 30 percent from the field. USV connected on 42 percent of its field goal attempts.

USV dominated the boards, 34-18.

Perry committed nine turnovers, while USV turned it over eight times on the night.

“We talk all the time about how basketball is a game of runs,” White said. “I’m really proud of how our guys handled that. They (Perry) are a team that can score in bunches, once they get going. So, to hold those guys to 39 points, we’re super excited for that.”

White was relieved to finally get a conference win over Perry.

“It’s good to get that off our back,” White said. “This is a big one. It’s been really hard to keep the guys focused and not to overlook up to this game. It’s no secret that this is a big game.”

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Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.