STORY BY ROB KISER - PIQUA DAILY CALL
Piqua boys basketball coach Marcus Bixler was disappointed with Indians 65-54 loss to Northmont in the two teams GWOC North opener.

But, Bixler found a lot of positives as well.

“The things that cost us this game, we can fix,” Bixler said. “That is the good news. It wasn’t from a lack of hustle. We were 10 points down in the final minute and had four guys diving for a loose ball. That is the great thing about these guys. What more can you ask than that.”

Wes Reed paced Piqua with 19 points, while David Rolf and Dan Wilson contributed with 16 and 12 points. Justin Hemm led the Indians with eight rebounds, while Wilson finished with 12 points.

Piqua was 21 of 48 from the floor for 44 percent and six of 11 from the line for 55 percent.

The Indians held their own on the boards, as Northmont outrebounded them just 28-27 and Piqua had 12 turnovers to Northmont’s 10.

Now, the Indians will play at Miamisburg Tuesday.

“The three things we talked about was taking care of the ball, rebounding and getting back on defense,” Bixler said. “We did all of those things. That is the fewest turnovers we have had all season. There is no doubt, Northmont played a great second half. We just had a few mental lapses at times in the second half that really hurt us.”

Things that will be corrected in practice … which is bad news for future Piqua foes.

BOXSCORE
Piqua (54)
Justin Hemm 1-1-3, Wes Reed 7-1-19, Ryan Musselman 0-2-2, Dan Wilson 5-0-12, David Rolf 7-2-16, Tyrell Knox 0-0-0, Cedric Wright 0-0-0, Cortland Martin 1-0-2.
Totals: 21-6-54.

Northmont (65)
Brian Tolle 9-3-26, Steve Newell 0-0-0, Andrew Parish 2-0-4, Davin Lewis 1-0-2, Jerontae Hunter 4-2-10, Nate Ogletree 0-0-0, Kevin Moore 1-0-2, John Nussman 1-1-3, C.J. Barnett 2-5-9, Logan Palsgrove 3-0-6, Brandon Petty 1-1-3. Totals: 24-12-65.

3-point field goals — Piqua: Reed (4), Wilson (2). Northmont: Tolle(5).

Score By Quarters
Piqua ................15......30.....42.....54
Northmont ........10......21.....41.....65

Records: Piqua 3-1 (0-1), Northmont 3-0 (1-0).

Piqua JVS lose
The Piqua junior varsity lost 63-30 Friday night. Kendall Taylor led Piqua with 10 points.

PIQUA SCORING
Tyler Bachman 0-4-4, Howard Walters 2-1-5, Kendall Taylor 4-2-10, Chandler Huggins 1-0-2, Tavian Williams 1-1-3, Derrick McKee 0-2-2, Gomez White 2-0-4. Totals: 10-10-30.

Score By Quarters
Piqua ...............13.....19......24......30
Northmont .......11.....28......47......67

Records: Piqua 3-1 (0-1).

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