LocalSportsJournal.com

NEWAYGO–The Montague boys basketball team came from behind in its season opener on Monday evening.

The Wildcats went on the road and earned a 62-54 victory over Newaygo in a non-league battle.

The teams played to a 11-11 tie after the first quarter.

The Wildcats outscored the Lions 18-14 in the second stanza to take a 29-25 halftime lead.

Newaygo came back with a, 18-11 scoring advantage in the third quarter scoring advantage 18-11 to take a 43-40 lead entering the fourth.

Montague caught fire in the final eight minutes and outscored the Lions 22-11 to secure the victory.

Paul Olsen led Montague with 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals. Owen Petersen and Braeden Johnston each tossed in 11 points and grabbed four rebounds. Isaiah Atchison chipped in with nine points and grabbed a team-leading 10 rebounds.

Montague hit 17-of-27 free throws and went 21-of-64 from the field for 32 percent. They were 3-of 14 from 3-point range and turned the ball over 22 times.

Bryce Decker led Newaygo with a game-high 26 points.

The Lions were 18-of-53 from the field for 33 percent. They were 12-of-20 from the free throw line and hit 6-of-20 from long distance. Newaygo only turned the ball over seven times.

“Sloppy and physical first game, happy to come out with a win,” said Montague coach David Osborne. “We will spend the next few practice’s cleaning up mistakes and look to Friday’s game vs Orchard View.”