LocalSportsJournal.com
GRAND HAVEN — Ludington made a run at Traverse City West on Thursday night but fell short in a 64-52 setback.
Ludington roared back from a seven-point deficit early in the fourth quarter to zoom into the lead, but couldn’t hold it.
The game was the opener in the Lake Michigan Cup being hosted by Grand Haven, and while the Orioles were disappointed to have fallen short, it was still a solid effort against a good team in a higher division.
David Shillinger led the Orioles with 25 points, matching the total of West’s high scorer Logan Lockhart. Also finishing in double figures for the Orioles was Gage Jones with 11 while Cameron Gunsell added nine.
“It was a back and forth game for the first 3 1/2 quarters,” said Ludington coach Thad Shank. “Next to Spring Lake, Traverse City West (7-2) is probably the best defensive team we’ve run up against.
“They made it tough for us to score. You have to give them a lot of credit.”
Ludington held a 15-10 lead at the end of one, but the Titans outscored the Orioles, 16-12 in the second to make it a one-point game, 27-26 at the half.
West had a 15-12 edge in the third period and took a 41-39 lead into the fourth period and then exploded for a 19-4 run in the final five minutes to pull away and outscore the Orioles, 23-13.
The Orioles dropped to 6-2 overall and will play Grand Haven tonight in the tournament.
