Versailles defeats Franklin Monroe Jets

Our guys are pretty confident in themselves .. Coach Travis Swank

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Jace Watren scores two of his 18 points for Versailles in Tigers' win over Franklin Monroe. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

VERSAILLES – The Versailles Tigers defeated the Franklin Monroe Jets 58-41 in Saturday’s non-conference varsity boys basketball.

“Our guys are pretty confident in themselves, and we were able to put that on display today,” said Versailles coach Travis Swank. “This is a quality win for us; we’re happy to get out of here with a win.”

Drake Ahrens drives to the basket for two of his 18 points in Versailles non-conference win over Franklin Monroe Jets. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

Versailles doubled up on the visiting Jets 16-8 in taking the opening quarter, with Drake Ahrens and Jace Watren pacing the Tigers with five points apiece.

Franklin Monroe battled back in the second period, outscoring the Tigers 11-7 before a Watren 3-pointer at the buzzer made it an 11-10 Jets second led by five EB Fall points, sending the game to the break with Versailles holding a 26-19 advantage.

Versailles Ethan WIlker defends against FM’s EB Fall. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

The Tigers put 17 points on the third quarter board to Franklin Monroe’s 14 points, giving Versailles a double-digit 43-33 lead with three periods in the book.

Versailles took advantage of the fourth-quarter free throw line, going 7-8 and outscoring Franklin Monroe 15-8 to earn a 17-point home win.

Franklin Monroe’s Ben Denlinger scores on a reverse layup at Versailles. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

“Late game situation, we were able to spread, and either they had to come and foul us, or we were able to get some wide-open layups,” Swank stated. “With our guards, it’s hard to chase us, so we’ll either get a lay-up, or you’ll have to come and foul us. We feel confident with our kids coming to the line, and they were able to hit tonight.”

Ahrens and Watren led Versailles and all scorers with a game-high 18 points each.

With the win, Versailles improved to 10-2 while Franklin Monroe went to 11-2 in the season.

BOXSCORE:

VERSAILLES 58, FRANKLIN MONROE 41

VERSAILLES – D. Ahrens 18, J. Watren 18, E. WIlker 12, B. Monnin 6, C. Bergman 2, J. Borchers 2 – TOTALS 20 12-16 2 58

FRANKLIN MONROE – EB Fall 15, B. Denlinger 10, L. Brenner 7, B. Riffle 6, T. Riffle 3 – TOTALS 15 5-8 2 41

3-POINTERS

Versailles 2 (J. Watren 2)
Franklin Monroe 2 (L. Brenner 1, EB Fall 1)

SCORE by QUARTERS

16-10-17-15 58 Versailles
08-11-14-08 41 Franklin Monroe

Versailles’ Ethan WIlker drives to the bucket for a score in Tigers win over Franklin Monroe. (Gaylen Blosser photo)