Northville Boys Basketball Loses on the Road

—Submitted by Bob Lasley

Tuesday night the Northville boys basketball team traveled to South Lyon to play the Central Division leading Lions and came out on the short end of a 61-42 score.

The Mustangs came out strongly to start the game as they hit 6 of 8 field goal attempts in the first quarter. But a 3 pointer by South Lyon, their third of the period, that just beat the buzzer gave the Lions the lead at 16-13. Northville cooled off in the second quarter but hung close due to several South Lyon turnovers, and the first half ended 26-23 in favor of South Lyon. The Mustangs were led in the first half by Andrew Meacham and Stewart Henzi who shot a combined 10-15 from the field and 3-3 from the free throw line. However, South Lion countered with 5 three-pointers.

The game was decided in the third quarter as South Lyon came out with some very aggressive man-to-man defense that forced numerous Northville turnovers, several of which were converted to fast break baskets for the Lions. Northville was outscored 20-7 in the period and their deficit ballooned to 50-30. The final period featured sloppy play by both teams, but by then the outcome was already decided.

In the season to date the Mustangs have been two different teams depending on where they play. Their home record is 4-1, but they are winless on the road. The basketball court dimensions are the same in all of these gyms, but the Mustangs will need to improve their mental preparation and give some extra effort diving after loose balls if they are going to win away from home. The Mustangs’ next game is this Friday, Jan. 18 at home against South Lyon East.