The Lake Orion boys? hoops squad fell to 1-1 on the young season after a tough 71-66 loss to visiting Southfield-Lathrup on Friday night.
The Dragons led by as many as 15 in the second quarter, but Lathrup closed the half on a 10-2 run, to cut the deficit to 31-24.
Foul trouble struck LO early in the third quarter, as Dragons? star Drew Maynard picked up fouls on both ends, first a blocking call on defense and then a charge on offense, giving him four and forcing him to the bench less than three minutes into the half. Chad Nieswand joined him on the bench with four fouls moments later.
That opened the door for the visiting Chargers, who took the lead for the first time since the early moments of the game in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter.
Down the stretch, it was free throws that Manzo said proved to be the difference. Lathrup made 75-percent of their attempts, while LO shot under 50-percent for the second straight game.
‘They made their free throws, especially late, and I think that was the difference in the game,? Manzo said.
‘We were up 29-14 with about 1:45 to go in the half,? he added. ‘They scored 57 points in 17 minutes. Whistles or no whistles, we’ve got to get better.?
Richard Hill’s 24 points, Roy Marble’s 21 and Bryan Coleman’s 17 paced the victors.
Maynard led the Dragons with 19 points, while Anthony Fields added 16 and Chris Lum had 11.
That trio also all scored in double figures when the Dragons opened their season earlier last week with a 65-46 win over visiting Rochester.
The Dragons (1-1 overall and 1-0 in the OAA II) now face two big league showdowns, first against Rochester Adams at home on Thursday and then at Southfield next Friday (Dec. 21). Both games begin at 7 p.m.