Falcons secure lead in second quarter for win over Tigers

A four-minute lapse was just enough to put the Circleville Tigers behind the visiting Fairfield Union Falcons to stay on Wednesday in a 48-39 Mid-State League Buckeye Division setback.

“I thought we played well and competed with toughness for three-and-a-half quarters as we outscored Fairfield Union in the first, third and tied in the fourth,” Circleville coach Cody Carpenter said. “Unfortunately, there are four quarters and we did not play very well half of the second quarter and they made us pay.”

The Tigers (8-9, 4-5) finished a low-scoring first quarter with a 7-6 lead, with Nolan West nailing a three-pointer and Joe Wray and Parker Kidwell adding a basket each.

Fairfield Union (14-3, 8-1) made its move in the second quarter, outscoring the Tigers 18-7 to take a 24-14 lead into halftime.

Caleb Schmelzer scored 10 of his game-high 23 points during the quarter, connecting on four field goals, including a three-pointer, and a free throw.

After Fairfield Union stretched its lead to as many as 17 points early in the third quarter, the Tigers scored the final eight points of the period. Briley Cramer contributed six points during the period and Ian Warden added a pair of baskets, sending the Tigers into the fourth trailing 33-24.

The Falcons maintained their three-possession advantage through the rest of the night to remain a game off the league-lead.

Caleb Redding also reached double figures for the Falcons with 12 points and Ted Harrah chipped in seven.

Cramer paced the Tigers with 13 points, and West and Warden scored nine apiece.

Circleville continues league play on Friday when it hosts Amanda-Clearcreek for Hall of Fame induction night.

Fairfield Union 48, Circleville 39

FAIRFIELD UNION — Ted Harrah 3-1-7, Caleb Redding 3-6-12, Caleb Schmelzer 9-3-23, Ronnie Rowley 2-0-6. Three-point goals — Rowley (2) and Schmelzer (2). Total — 17 10-15 48.

CIRCLEVILLE — Nolan West 3-0-9, Matt Bradley 1-0-2, Briley Cramer 6-1-13, Joe Wray 1-0-2, Parker Kidwell 1-2-4, Ian Warden 4-1-9. Three-point goals — West (3). Total — 16 4-6 39.

Quarter scores 1 2 3 4 F
Fairfield Union 6 18 9 15 48
Circleville 7 7 10 15 39