MUSKEGON — A big fourth quarter helped power the Montague boys basketball team to a 57-47 victory over Oakridge in a West Michigan Conference game Tuesday night on the road.
It was the third straight win for the Wildcats, raising their record to 7-4 overall and 4-4 in the conference. Oakridge fell to 5-8 overall and 4-4 in the league with its second straight loss.
The game had 11 lead changes, and was tied three times. Montague’s largest lead was 11 points. Montague shot 35 percent from the floor, on 18 of 51 makes and had eight 3-point field goals.
“I was pleased with our second half execution and effort tonight,” said Wildcats head coach David Osborne. “I hope that carries over into our next game.”
The Wildcats fell behind by a four-point margin, 10-6 in the first quarter and were outscored, 17-12 in the second to trail by nine, 27-18 at the half.
But the Wildcats rallied in the second half, outscoring the Eagles, 19-16 in the third period to shave the margin down to six, 43-37 entering the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats pulled the game out with a 15-9 advantage in the final eight minutes.
Owen Raeth and Tugg Nichols scored 12 points apiece to lead the Wildcats, while Colton Blankstrom added 11 with three 3-point goals, and Tate Stine and Isaiah Archison each had eight.
Raeth and Archison each grabbed seven rebounds, while Stine and Rodney Brassfield had six apiece. Raeth, Nichols and Stine dished out three assists each and Archison dished out two. Raeth also had four steals, Braedon Johnston and Archison each had three and Archison had two.
Montague is next scheduled to host Mason County Central in another conference game Friday night.
Next up on the schedule for Oakridge is a road trip to Shelby in the WMC on Friday.
