Eagles snap nine-game losing streak with win

Allen Plunkett lays in two of his 18 points on Saturday.

Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

KNIGHTSTOWN — South Putnam used a strong trapping defense and increased enthusiasm to end its nine-game losing streak on Saturday, defeating Lighthouse Christian Academy of Bloomington 61-37 as part of the D-ONE Husker Classic at the Hoosier Gym.

The Eagles led 12-10 after a closely-contested first quarter, then outscored the Lions 17-0 in the second quarter to break the game open for good.

“I am certainly glad that we came out and played with some energy and effort,” said South Putnam coach Greg Dean, who did not have those feelings after Friday’s loss at Cascade. “We did some good things defensively. Our halfcourt trap gave them some fits and caused some turnovers, and I was glad we put the ball in the hole.”

Dean had his Eagles operating out of a spread offense at several different spots in the game, trying to create opportunities to get layups.

“We did a good job of trying to get to the rim,” said Dean, who recorded his 100th career coaching victory. “Early in the second half, we went away from that a little bit and got too quick on offense. We emphasized that we could get to the rim if we were more patient — our cutting was much better.”

The Eagles led 41-26 after three quarters, and got three baskets each from Allen Plunkett and Steven Schnepp in the fourth quarter to expand that lead.

Plunkett paced the winners with 18 points, while Schnepp added 16.

LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (37) — B.Von Bokern 1 0-0 2, Crum 1 4-7 7, Campbell 3 3-5 9, Eagle 0 2-4 2, T.Von Bokern 0 0-2 0, Hughes 0 0-0 0, D.Smith 3 5-7 11, Uuganbaya 0 0-0 0, C.Smith 2 0-0 4, McGuire 1 0-0 2. Totals 11 FG, 14-25 FT, 37 TP

SOUTH PUTNAM (61) — Vansickle 0 1-2 1, Schnepp 8 0-0 16, Fanning 0 2-2 2, Plunkett 10 0-2 18, Zeffel 1 1-2 3, Arnold 2 1-1 5, Watson 0 0-0 0, Scott 2 3-4 7, Heavin 0 2-2 2, Remsburg 0 0-0 0, Adams 0 0-0 0, Gregory 0 3-4 3, Lesko 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 FG, 13-17 FT, 61 TP

Lighthouse Christian 10 0 16 11 — 37

South Putnam 12 17 12 20 — 61

3-point goals — Crum, Plunkett 2.

Next game — South Putnam (4-11) hosts Rockville on Thursday. Lighthouse Christian Academy fell to 2-16.