DEFIANCE – After battling nearly even for three quarters, the Antwerp Archers put up a 23-point fourth quarter to rally for a 63-59 win over Ayersville Friday night in Green Meadows Conference boys basketball action.
The two squads were tied at a dozen markers apiece at the end of one period but Ayersville outpointed the Archers 14-12 in the second stanza to record a 26-24 halftime advantage.
In the third period, the Pilots added to the margin by putting up 17 points compared to 16 for the Archers as Ayersville seized a 43-40 lead going to the final period.
Antwerp, though, racked up 23 points in the final eight minutes and held the Pilots to 16 as the blue and white came from behind to record the 63-59 victory.
The Archers were led by junior standout Landon Brewer, who bucketed 31 points to help Antwerp improve to 12-3 in all games and 3-2 in the league. Parker Moore also reached double digits for the Archers with a dozen markers.
Carson Altimus added nine for Antwerp followed by Reid Lichty (six) and Zaine McMichael (five).
Tyson Schlachter paced three Ayersville pilots in twin digits with 13 points while Ben Amoroso and Carter Michel both recorded a dozen markers.
Weston McGuire (seven), Garrett Flory (six), Brady Clark (six) and Kaden Brown (three) were the other scorers for the Pilots, who fall to 8-8 in all games and 2-3 in the conference.
In the junior varsity contest, the Pilots defeated the Archers 28-20.
