LYNDEN — Lynden boys basketball used a late fourth-quarter push to win its ninth straight game and remain undefeated on the season during a 61-39 victory over Archbishop Murphy at home Monday, Dec. 30.
Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm in a physical matchup. In the first four minutes, the Lions (9-0) took a 6-0 lead. Lynden’s Spencer Adams hit a 3-pointer, Ty Jorgensen made a basket and Brant Heppner connected for a layup. Heppner led the team with 22 points, six rebounds, four assists and a couple blocks.
Archbishop Murphy’s Jordan Rife scored the Wildcats’ first basket on a contested layup. However, both teams traded baskets as Lynden held a 14-7 lead after the first quarter. Jorgensen scored six of his eight points in the first quarter.
Gallery: Lynden keeps unbeaten streak alive with late push
In the second quarter, the Wildcats forced two Lynden turnovers and an airball. The Wildcats also had a 5-0 run to slim Lynden’s lead to 14-12. Adams made a 3-pointer and Heppner made a layup to extend the lead back to 19-12.
Both teams traded a couple more baskets to end the half with a 25-17 Lions’ lead.
In the second half, Archbishop Murphy trapped Lynden’s guards, forced a couple of steals and led to four fastbreak points. Afterward, neither team was able to score until the final couple minutes of the third quarter. Lynden’s Malachi Koenen completed a 4-point play after being fouled, and Heppner finished the quarter with a 3-pointer to take a 37-29 lead.
The Lions finally extended to a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter with eight points from Heppner. In addition, Adams and Jorgensen scored a combined seven points. With a minute remaining, the reserves came in and finished the game.
The Lions will host Mount Vernon at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
