By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

The Goessel boys’ basketball team was outmatched in the second half Friday against Solomon, losing 65-33 to the Wheat State League regular season champions.

The Bluebirds kept the game close in the first half. Lawton Makovec hit a free throw and a 3-pointer to give the Bluebirds an early 4-2 lead. Connor Davis added a jumper, then Zach Wiens scored 7 consecutive points to give the Bluebirds a 13-12 lead. A floating layup at the buzzer put the Gorillas ahead 14-13 at the end of the first quarter.

Solomon worked its lead to nine, but Goessel cut the deficit to six late in the second period. The Bluebirds could just muster four points in the quarter, as Solomon enlarged its lead to 27-17 at the half.

The league leaders outscored the Bluebirds 16-2 to start the third period and led 48-25 at the end of the quarter. With a distinct height advantage, the Gorillas continued to pad their lead and closed out the game winning 65-33.

Makovec led the Bluebirds with 9 points, Wiens finished with 7, and Davis dropped in 6.

The Bluebirds took on Udall on Tuesday, losing 57-47. Goessel kept the game close well into the third quarter, at one point trailing just 32-30.

Wiens scored 13, and Lawton Makovec added 10.