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Niagara boys outlast Patriots, 59-44

Niagara’s Ethan Blagec, center, rises for a layup against Goodman-Pembine on Thursday in Pembine, Wis. The Patriots’ Noah Suther (5), Alex Bolssen (25) and Evan Metras (10) look on. (Adam Niemi/The Daily News)

PEMBINE, Wis. — Niagara outlasted Goodman-Pembine 59-44 on Thursday in a non-conference matchup.

The Badgers (2-0) and Patriots (0-1) were stuck within a point of each other for most of the second half until Niagara pulled away late with layups and free throws.

Niagara held a slim four-point lead with about two minutes remaining in the game until a rally iced it.

Patriots coach John Swick said his team just ran out of energy in their first game of the season.

“I think we did pretty good for our first game out,” he said. “It was a one possession game pretty much throughout the whole thing and towards the end we just kind of ran out of gas. It was unfortunate at they end they started to hit all their shots and hit some free throws. Credit to them, they hit the shots when they needed to.”

Niagara coach Jim Hoogland said his team came out with a lack of energy after also surviving Florence on Tuesday in double overtime.

“They were getting to the loose ball, and usually that’s our trademark,” Hoogland said. “We played in a tough game Tuesday with a day off. When you think you got their legs back, nuh-uh. We looked slow tonight. We had a little spurt towards the end and it worked down in the stretch.”

Niagara relied on passing and perseverence in the second half to survive the neck-and-neck battle.

“They had to be a little more calm with the ball and get it side to side more,” Hoogland said. “Austin Hagerty and (Jacob) Bousley can take the ball to the hole. When we rely on jumpshots, we’re not a good shooting team, at least at this point.”

The Badgers held a 23-20 halftime lead.

Jacob Bousley had a game-high 20 points for the Badgers. Ethan Blagec scored 16 and also co-led in rebounding with Spencer Maki at 12 apiece.

Swick said the Patriots offense was definitely rusty for the first game of the season, with missed easy shots and free throws. Goodman-Pembine shot 15 for 55 from the field and hit five of 15 free throws.

“We missed a lot of practice over the holidays with kids hunting and things like that,” Swick said. “We missed a lot of easy shots. Once we clean that up I think we’ll be all right.”

Noah Suther led the Patriots with 17 points and Hagan Braaten had 11. Suther fouled out with about three minutes left in the second half.

The Badgers out-rebounded the Patriots 44-30. Niagara shot 20 of 59 from the field and 17 of 30 on free throws.

Hoogland said the Badgers are traditionally a poor shooting team in Pembine.

“We didn’t shoot the ball very well at all. This is a tough place to play,” he said. “The rims are tight. We’ve never shot well here. They didn’t do the little things that we need to do here.”

Niagara plays at Crivitz on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Goodman-Pembine hosts Elcho at 6:45 p.m. today in Goodman.

Niagara won the JV game, 26-21.

Niagara 23 36 — 59

Goodman-Pembine 20 24 — 44

NIAGARA: Bousley 20, Blagec 16, Maki 10, Austin Hagerty 10, Alex Hagerty 3. FG: 20-59. 3PT: Blagec 1, Bousley 1. Rebounds: 44 (Blagec 12, Maki 12). Turnovers: 15. FT: 17-30. F: 16.

GOODMAN-PEMBINE: Suther 17, Braaten 11, Metras 6, Morrison 4, Bolssen 3, Moloney 3. FG: 15-55. 3PT: Suther 5, Moloney 1, Metras 1. Rebounds: 30. FT: 5-15. F: 24 (Suther fouled out).

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