MENTONE - Tippecanoe Valley had the guns blazing against the Southwood Knights, at least for one quarter. After the opening period, however, the Vikings lost the shooting touch and the ball game, 76-65, Tuesday.

Valley head coach Gregg Sciarra put it about as simply as it can be said. "We hit everything."

In the opening eight minutes that is as Valley scored 27 points, knocking down seven of nine three-pointers, and opening up a 12-point lead.

Darren Parker led the first quarter attack by hitting on all four of his three-point attempts. Eric Love added three bombs of his own, all in the first four minutes.

But then Southwood began to chip away at the deficit with a little help from the Vikings.

The Knights went on a 12-2 run over the first four minutes of the second quarter to close to within two points at 29-27. With Valley leading 31-30, Love hit the Vikings only three-pointer of the quarter to extend the lead to four. Valley would go into the half with that same lead, 36-32.

Tippecanoe Valley only made one of four three-pointers in the second quarter and dipped below 50 percent from the floor in the first half, but still hung onto the lead.

Without Parker, Valley shot 35 percent in the first half. Parker was a perfect six for six with 16 points, 3 steals, and 2 assists.

Southwood came out rebounding in the third quarter. In the first four minutes, the Knights grabbed seven offensive rebounds and held an 8-1 rebounding advantage, but they still trailed 40-38.

The Knights took their first lead of the game with 1:40 to play in the third quarter on a three-pointer by Aaron Garner, his only basket of the game. Southwood took a 47-46 advantage into the fourth quarter.

The Knights quickly extended their lead to 51-46 in the first two minutes of the final period. However, Valley fought back with six straight points, on two layups from the unusually quiet Jeff Brown and a jumper by Nick Stutzman, to reclaim the lead.

Leading 61-60, Southwood closed the game on a 15-5 run to pull away over the final three minutes.

What was the difference between the first and second halves? That's simple. Rebounding. Valley held a 13-11 rebounding advantage in the first half. Southwood held a 20-8 advantage in the second half.

"Stumbo's real good down low," Sciarra said. "He has tremendous leaping ability and timing. We aren't real quick when the ball bounces off the rim. It seemed like we were just standing."

Brian Knight led Southwood with 25 points, largely on uncontested inside baskets.

"They got a little penetration by one of the guards," Sciarra said. "And a little dump down pass and that was it. We made it easy for him inside, but he did a nice job too."

Brown, one of the top area players, was held to a very quiet 15 points and 5 rebounds. He is averaging 18 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Parker and Love each scored 16 points to lead Valley, but they combined for just four points in the second half.

"I thought we were a better basketball team than we showed the last couple of games," Sciarra said. "Now we're wondering."

Valley (6-4, 2-1) plays at Northfield Friday. [[In-content Ad]]