Bieber, Ralphs lead Hampshire

BYRON - Intensity was a word thrown out a lot at Hampshire's practices this week.

After dropping its last 3 games, the Whips needed to bring said intensity if they wanted to get back on track against Byron. Almost instantly, Justin Bieber scorched the host Tigers for 15 first-quarter points, as Hampshire used its intensity to take a 62-40 Big Northern crossover victory here Friday night.

"The last couple of games, we haven't come out with that much intensity," Bieber said. "After a couple of tough losses, we had a different outlook. When I started hitting and we pushed the lead to 10, it went good from there."

Bieber, who led all players with 24 points, made 5 straight shots in the opening period, including four 3-pointers to give Hampshire (3-3) a 21-10 lead after the first quarter. Bieber really opened the game up when he drained his fourth 3-pointer to extend Hampshire's lead to 14-6. But he wasn't done as he drew a foul and connected the free-throw, putting the Whips up 15-6 with 2:34 left in the first half.

Point guard Shyler Ralphs would also connect on a 4-point play with 48 seconds left in the first quarter to extend Hampshire's lead to 21-10.

"Justin hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter and that really got us rolling," Hampshire coach Bob Barnett said. "They had to come out on Justin and that really opened Shyler up."

Ralphs took full advantage of his new found freedom. The senior finished with 23 points including a scoring burst of 9 points in the second quarter to put Byron (6-2) in the hole 34-21 at the end of the first half. Combined Ralphs (7 of 10) and Bieber (7 of 11) shot 66 percent (14 of 21) from the floor in the game. The duo made all seven 3-pointers they attempted, all coming in the first half.

Although they did not record a shot in the fourth quarter, Ralphs went 5 of 6 from the free-throw line and Bieber was 2 of 2 as Byron was outscored 13-4 over the final 8 minutes.

"This is definitely what we wanted to do," Ralphs said. "We had a lot of intensity tonight. My shot felt good tonight, so I figured I'd come out shooting."

Byron struggled to find its shot, with the Tigers shooting 41.8 percent (18 of 43) from the floor and going 2 of 13 in the final period. Conor Bernhard had 12 points for Byron, while Adam Head added 11.

Tyler Watzlawick (8 points) had 7 rebounds as Hampshire owned a 25-16 advantage on the glass. Grant Yoder added 4 assists and 2 steals in the win.