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By Tommy Mann Jr.

The Orange Leader

ORANGEFIELD — The Orangefield Bobcats started out hot but could not keep up the pace as the Buna Cougars beat Orangefield 65-51 on Senior Night on Friday.

The Bobcats jumped out to an early 8-3 lead over Buna and seemed poised to run away with the contest, but the Cougars picked up the temp and outscored Orangefield 12-5 the rest of the period to even the score, 15-15, at the end of the first.

The Bobcats started quickly in the second and scored six straight points for a 21-15 before Carmyne Leiva and the Cougars took over for good. Buna responded by scoring six consecutive points to tie the game, 21-21, and then took the lead for good following a technical foul on Orangefield. Buna led 29-25 at the half as Leiva scored six points during the second period.

The Bobcats offense went cold in the third period, while the Buna offense sped up and down the court as its defense scooped up the rebounds. The Cougars outscored Orangefield 20-9 in the third on the way to a 49-34 lead at the end of the quarter. Leiva tossed in another 6 points for Buna, while Owen Sims scored four points during the quarter for Orangefield.

Neither team seemed to be able to generate much momentum in the fourth and the Cougars seemed content to play keep-away with the ball. Orangefield cut the Cougars lead down to 10 points but was never able to get much closer as Buna claimed the 65-51 win.

Leiva finished with a game high 19 points for Buna, while teammate Brayden Taylor scored 17 points. Jaden Scales led the Bobcats with 14 points and Carson Willis added 11 points in the loss.

Orangefield will hit the road next week as the Bobcats travel to Anahuac to face the Panthers on Tuesday, Feb. 4, and then to Hardin to take on the Hornets on Friday, Feb. 7.