Newton boys use strong second quarter to down Albia

The Newton boys basketball team overcame a tough shooting night with a strong second quarter and held off Albia, 51-46, during a non-conference home game on Thursday.

The Cardinals improved 4-2 when holding an opponent to fewer than 50 points and are now 4-1 when scoring at least 50.

Newton and Albia were tied at 11-all after one quarter, but the hosts won the second 19-11. The Blue Demons outscored Newton by three in the second half and the Cardinals squeaked out a win despite shooting 10-of-24 from the free-throw line and 5-of-26 from long range.

Landon Bozarth led Newton with a career-high 17 points and added four rebounds and four assists.

He scored seven more than his season average, sunk 6-of-11 from the foul line and reached double figures for the seventh time in Newton’s 11 games. It also was his fourth straight double-digit scoring effort.

Cade Bauer tallied 12 points and six rebounds. He was 4-of-12 from 3-point range.

Dawson Maki finished with nine points, two rebounds, two assists and three steals, Caden Klein posted seven points, four rebounds and two steals, Christian Ergenbright grabbed six rebounds and Creighton Andrew pulled down four boards.

The Cardinals (6-5) shot 36 percent from the floor and turned the ball over only eight times.

It was the Cardinals’ third straight win over Albia, which fell to 8-2. The victory also snapped Newton’s two-game skid.