Burlington Central dumps Marengo

Marengo was just what Burlington Central needed. The Rockets snapped a 2-game losing streak and stayed in the thick of the Big Northern East boys basketball race with a 57-48 victory in Marengo Friday night.

Ray Hunnicutt had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists for the Rockets, (8-10, 4-1). Sam Klein added 13 points.

Central trailed throughout the first quarter, but took control with a 15-0 run in the second. Still, the Rockets could never put away the pesky Indians in front of a large, boisterous crowd. The Rockets made just 4 of 10 free throws in the fourth quarter, missing 4 in a row at one point. That allowed the Indians to hang around.

A steal and layup by Matt Harrah made it 54-46 with 32 seconds left. But Klein ended the free-throw drought by making 2 and the Rockets held on.

"We've got to get this one tonight if we still want to battle with Richmond and Hampshire for the conference title," said Rockets' coach Brett Porto. "It would have been nice to close out with our free throws. That's something we've been battling all year. Right now it's probably just a big mental block."

Hunnicutt had his way in the lane all night.

"I like when they play me close, because I try to get by them every time and get the layup," he said.

The Rockets shot just 36 percent and were outrebounded, 31-24, but stayed in control by taking care of the ball. They committed just 5 turnovers while forcing 21 Marengo miscues.

Austin Brettschneider scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half for Marengo (3-15, 2-5). Steve Stachura was huge off the bench with 10 rebounds and 6 points.

Shane Larkin had 6 points and Zach Romando 5 for Central, which saw 10 players play and 8 score.