Turnovers doom Eagles at Owen Valley

SPENCER -- A strong start and good defensive energy weren't enough for South Putnam boys' basketball Friday, as the Eagles struggled with turnovers in a 57-41 loss to Owen Valley.

Coach Greg Dean liked what he saw out of the Eagles (3-17) early in the game.

"I thought we got off to a positive start," Dean said. "We started with some positive energy early."

Unfortunately, foul trouble sent junior Trevor Long to the bench and South Putnam began to turn the ball over. Dean said the Eagles handled the Patriots' press, but committed a number of unforced errors, leading to a 23-point second quarter for Owen Valley (10-10).

"We did a lot of good thing defensively," Dean said. "But we turned it over and gave them easy buckets and that makes it hard."

Early in the second half, the Patriots stretched the lead to 16. While the Eagles battled to get the deficit to single digits, they could not get over the hump.

Long and senior Chad Menke led the Eagles with 10 points each.

South Putnam is scheduled to host North Vermillion at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, but winter weather concerns could postpone the game.