The Philomath High School boys basketball team fell into an early hole and could not climb back out in a 44-29 loss Tuesday night in Eugene to Marist Catholic.
The Spartans shot out to a 14-2 lead in the first quarter and held a 26-9 advantage by halftime. Three different Marist players hit 3-pointers in the first half.
PHS coach Blake Ecker said 20 turnovers and missed opportunities on lay-ins took a toll on the team’s ability to stick with the Spartans.
Over the final two quarters, the game was much more competitive with Philomath holding a 20-18 advantage.
Said Ecker, “Played much harder in the second half.”
Marist (1-1) was ranked No. 3 in Class 4A’s preseason OSAAtoday coaches poll but was upset by 3A Creswell in its season opener.
Senior Logan Matthews finished with 10 points on four field goals and a free throw for the Warriors. Junior Josiah Peters hit a 3-pointer in the third quarter and Matthews had one in the fourth.
Junior Kai Holmes, a 6-foot-6 forward, had a game-high 14 points for the home team.
Philomath (1-2) will play at 7 p.m. Friday at West Albany, a 5A school that is off to a 1-1 start with a win over Sheldon (65-58) and a loss to Thurston (70-59).
