Bears Win SCA Games Over Liberty, Mtn. Grove

The Ava Bears won two SCA games on the home floor this week to remain undefeated in conference play.

Last Friday night the Bears defeated Mtn. View-Liberty in the Hoopcoming affair, 61-49, and on Tuesday night the Bears beat Mtn. Grove, 44-32, to win the Route 60 Showdown, sponsored by Town & Country Bank.

Sophomore Ben Loge sparked the Bears in the win over Liberty on Friday night, scoring 21 points. Austin Gastineau added 15 and Zach Leonard had 13 points for Ava, including three baskets from behind the 3-point arc.

Jaelon Acklin and Jordan Pruett had 12 points apiece for Liberty.

Others scoring for Ava were Chase Dixon 5, including 3-for-4 from the line, Kevin Philpott 4, and Kody Kutz 3.

After leading Mtn. Grove 19-15 at halftime here Tuesday night, the Bears’ defense held the Panthers to two points in the third period to take a 27-17 lead into the final period of play.

Coach Nathan Houk is encouraged to see his Bears shooting free throws much better now, connecting on 65 percent last Friday night and hitting 11 of 13 Tuesday.

Gastineau led the Bears in scoring with 15 points and Leonard added 10. Loge was 4-for-5 from the line and finished with six points.

Others scoring for Ava were Kutz 5, Dixon 4 and Philpott 4.

J.D. Dobson had 17 points for the Panthers.

The Bears are 11-9 overall and 4-0 in conference play with Willow Springs here Friday night in SCA action.

Next Tuesday the Bears will host Thayer in the final home game of the season, which will also be Senior Night.

The remainder of the regular schedule includes games at Houston in SCA play on Feb. 17, then non-conference games at Seymour on Feb. 20 and Mansfield on Feb. 24.