MILLERSBURG — Kyevi Roane erupted for 27 points and nine rebounds as Mansfield Senior earned a gritty, 65-60 Ohio Cardinal Conference road victory at West Holmes on Friday night.
Teammate Duke Reese chipped in 10 points as Senior High overcame a slow start with a big third quarter to pull away in the end.
The Knights opened an 18-15 first-quarter lead and enjoyed a 34-32 halftime edge.
Mansfield Senior (13-5 overall, 10-2 in the OCC) dominated the third period to the tune of a 17-6 scoring margin, which it parlayed into a 49-40 bulge heading to the final eight minutes.
West Holmes (2-13, 0-11) rallied in the fourth period to outscore the visitors 20-16, but it wasn’t enough to earn their first OCC win of the season.
Nate Fair registered 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Knights, while Collier Cline chipped in 17 points and Sam Sprang added 11.
Senior High’s depth was the difference. Coach Marquis Sykes’ squad outscored the hosts 13-0 in points off the bench.
The Tygers had the better of it on the glass with a 29-26 rebounding advantage, and forced 21 West Holmes turnovers, while suffering 17 of their own.
Mansfield Senior connected on 50 percent of its field goal attempts (26-of-52), but really struggled from the free throw line (10-of-20).
The Knights also nailed 50 percent of their shots (21-of-42) and connected on 13-of-17 from the stripe.
The Tygers host Columbus Bishop Hartley on Saturday night.
West Holmes hosts Triway on Tuesday night.