ALLPORT — Philip Michaels poured in 29 points and teammates Brandon McDonald and Craig Bartlett also scored in double figures as the Curwensville Area High School boys basketball team pushed its Moshannon Valley League record to 3-1 with a 73-66 victory over host West Branch Friday night.
A 17-9 advantage at the foul line was crucial for the Golden Tide, which outpointed the Warriors 38-24 in the middle two periods after trailing 16-9 at the first quarter buzzer. Coach Matt Wassil\’s team was able to maintain at least a seven-point advantaged during the hectic fourth period.
Michaels nailed a quartet of three-pointers and McDonald hit a pair en route to a season-high 17 points. Bartlett chipped in with 14.
The Warriors, 1-2 in the MVL and 3-3 overall, also had three players in double figures. Tyler Ferguson tallied 20, Chris Dotts 18 and Alan Crowell 13. Dotts and Crowell each had a trio of three-pointers.
Curwensville will take a 4-2 record into the Purchase Line Holiday Tournament. The Golden Tide is paired with the host Red Dragons Wednesday at 8 p.m. Clearfield will play Penns Manor at 6:30.
The Curwensville junior varsity, led by Sam Gardner\’s 17 points and Ryan Gardner\’s 16, won the prelim 48-37. Theron Bisko\’s nine points were high for West Branch.
CURWENSVILLE — 73
Bartlett 5 4-4 14, McGary 1 3-4 5, McDonald 5 5-7 17, Sopic 1 1-2 3, Michaels 11 3-3 29, Kalgren 0 1-4 1, Palmer 2 0-0 4. Totals: 25 17-24 73.
WEST BRANCH — 66
Ling 2 0-0 4, Dotts 7 4-6 18, Lidgett 2 1-5 5, Ferguson 7 6-7 20, Crowell 5 0-0 13, Zimmerman 2 1-2 6, J. Husted 0 0-0 0, Bloom 0 0-0 0. Totals: 25 9-19 66.
Three-Point Field Goals: Curwensville 6 (Michaels 4, McDonald 2). West Branch 7 (Dotts 3, Crowell 3, Zimmerman 1).
Score by Quarters:
Curwensville 9 21 17 26 — 73
West Branch 16 9 15 26 — 66