By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
On Thursday night the Merrill boys basketball team traveled to Marshfield for a conference match up with the Tigers. It was a very tight game throughout, however late game free throws would seal the game for the Tigers as they top Merrill 62-52.
The first half of the game was back and forth with neither team able to gain a significant lead. The Jays would take a two point lead into the halftime break, leading 28-26. Michael Casper led the Jays in scoring for the first half, putting up 11 points. Quinn Steckbauer did a nice job as well, scoring 10 first half points.
Coach Schalow was not happy with his team’s play in the second half saying, “We were too sloppy with the ball. Against really good teams, you can’t have too many empty possessions, and you certainly cannot have them in a row. For us to have 16 turnovers is way too much, especially when most of them came in the second half while Marshfield was making their run. We need to clean up how we take care of the ball and get better possessions as this season continues.”
The Jays would control the game for the first few minutes of the second half, however Marshfield would then go on a scoring run to take the lead. With Marshfield up by four points the Jays would have to foul late game and the Tigers would take advantage, knocking down their free throws to take the 62-52 win.
Casper led Merrill in scoring for the game with 21 points. Casper also added four steals and an assist. Steckbauer finished the game with 15 points, one assist and one steal. Chase Bonnell ended his night with seven points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
With this loss the Jays are now 6-2 in conference play, good enough for second place. Merrill will host first place SPASH tomorrow night in what will be a big game in deciding the conference champion.