Elida girls top Melrose

MELROSE — In a clash of the No. 1 and 2-ranked teams in 1A girls basketball, it was the road team who prevailed.

Elida carried a slim lead into the second half of Tuesday night’s District 4-1A showdown against Melrose, but Elida managed to run away with a strong third quarter showing to notch the 48-29 win.

“I thought our girls did a really good job of executing, defensively,” Tigers coach Jaden Isler explained. “We did whatever we wanted to. Defense has been our strength all year, but I think the offense will come.”

Elida (14-5, 4-0) led by five points at intermission, but then the third quarter happened. The Tigers outscored the Buffaloes (13-6, 4-1), 16-7, giving the Tigers a stronghold heading into the fourth and final period.

Melrose scored more points in the fourth quarter than any other quarter on Tuesday, but that wound up being all of just eight points. The Buffaloes made just 12 field goals and went 3-for-16 from the foul line.

Elida will now head to Floyd to play the Broncos tonight at 5:30, while Melrose will play at San Jon — also for a 5:30 tip-off. The Tigers are starting to come into their own, following a rough outing at EPAC a few weeks ago.

Since then, Elida has won four out of five games. “We tried to learn from our mistakes (earlier in the season),” Isler said. “We had some close losses to bigger schools, but I think we solved some of those issues. But, in this district, you can get beat any night if you’re not prepared.”

Melrose boys 60, Elida 46 — Jordan Jasso scored 15 to lead a balanced effort for the host Buffaloes, who moved to 5-0 in district with their victory over the Tigers.

Melrose (17-3, 5-0) took control with a 22-8 second quarter.

Nobody else scored in double figures for the Buffaloes, but seven other players notched at least four points, with Jared Lee scoring nine and Tristan Sena and Tate Sorgen each posting eight.

Cris Diaz led the Tigers (7-12, 2-2) with 13 points, including three of the team’s five 3-pointers.