The Macomb High varsity boys basketball team chalked up its 14th victory of the season Saturday evening, posting a 51-44 victory at Kewanee against the host Boilermakers.
MHS improved to 14-7 on the season, while Kewanee High slipped to 12-9.
“We were able to control the tempo and make it a halfcourt game for the most part,” said MHS coach Jeremy Anderson.
The Bombers led 12-9 after the opening eight minutes before Kewanee pulled even at 22-22 by halftime.
Macomb took the upperhand in the third quarter.
Drew Watson knocked down a pair of 3-pointers, while Cooper Hobson also scored six points.
Nolan Hoge chipped in a basket as the Bombers took a 36-28 advantage heading into the final period.
“We had success in the third quarter getting the ball down close to the basket to play from the inside out,” said Anderson.
The Bombers hung on down the stretch as they made eight of their 10 free throw attempts in maintaining control.
“Kewanee is a very aggressive, hard to guard team,” said Anderson. “We finally got some stops and made just enough free throws late to win it.”
Watson topped Macomb with 17 points, 11 in the second half. He finished with four 3-pointers.
Hoge added nine points, followed by Carter Havens with eight, all in the second half.
Isaac Leinbach was next with seven points, followed by Nick Elbe with six, all in the opening half.
Kellen Martin rounded out the Bomber scoring with four points.
Adiel Arjon and Chris Crowe toppedKewanee High with eight points each.
Griffin Hicks was next with seven points, followed by Jesus Martinez and Dayvon Robinson with six points apiece.
The sophomore contest saw Kewanee High edge Macomb 40-36.
MHS led 14-13 after the pening quarter before Kewanee High pulled even at 24-24 by halftime.
The two teams remained tied at 33-33 entering the final period.
The Bombers would be outscored 7-3 during the final minutes in slipping to 8-9 on the season.
Luke Chapla and Corey Robinson topped Macomb with 15 and 14 points respectively.
Cameron Keene added five points and Levi Helling two for the Bombers.
Alexander Ramos topped Kewanee High with 17 points.
Macomb, 1-0 in Prairieland Conference South Division play, will head to Bushnell on Tuesday to face Bushnell-Prairie City (2-14, 0-2) before hosting Havana (8-8, 0-0) in a pair of South Division contests.
