Andrew’s career night powers Newton boys past Oskaloosa

OSKALOOSA — A career night from Creighton Andrew and a superb shooting effort from the free-throw line helped the Newton boys basketball team win a close road game against Oskaloosa on Friday.

The Cardinals overcame an Indians’ run in the second quarter, made nearly half of their shots from downtown and turned the ball over only six times during a 52-48 victory in Little Hawkeye Conference play.

Newton led 22-19 after scoring the final four points of the second quarter. Oskaloosa took a lead late in the half following an 11-2 run.

The nip-and-tuck game continued through the second half before Andrew sealed the win with a pair of late free throws.

The Cardinals are shooting only 49 percent from the foul line this season but made 8-of-10 from the charity stripe in the win.

Andrew was 6-of-8 from the foul line and finished with a career-high 18 points. He also added three rebounds, two assists and two steals and was 2-of-3 from the 3-point line.

Andrew scored 13 points above his season average and Christian Ergenbright’s eight points were five above his. Ergenbright was 2-of-4 from 3 and totaled three rebounds and four assists.

Landon Bozarth put in 11 points and grabbed five rebounds, Cade Bauer registered seven points, two rebounds and three assists and Caden Klein grabbed two boards and dished out three assists.

Dawson Maki collected four rebounds and two assists and Grant Osby posted four points and three boards off the bench.

The Cardinals (9-8, 4-7 in the conference) shot 41.3 percent from the floor and made 6-of-13 from 3.

The victory snapped Newton’s three-game skid and secured a season split against Oskaloosa.

The Cardinals have won four of the past six in the series, but Oskaloosa won the previous two meetings. The Indians (6-11, 2-9) dropped their fourth game in a row.

Pella Christian 62, Newton 45

PELLA — Newton couldn’t overcome slow starts to both halves during a road loss to Pella Christian on Tuesday.

Bozarth scored a career-high 18 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Cardinals fell 62-45 to the Eagles on the road during LHC action.

Pella Christian led 22-11 after one and outscored Newton 11-5 in the third. The two teams played even in the other two frames.

The Cardinals and Eagles have split their last six meetings, but Pella Christian is 28-9 in the series since 2007.

Bozarth added three rebounds, four assists and three steals to his 18 points.

Bauer totaled 10 points, two rebounds and two steals, Andrew registered four points, four rebounds and two assists and Isaiah Slaughter put in six points.

Osby chipped in four points and three rebounds off the bench, while Klein grabbed four boards and dished out two assists and Maki delivered three assists.

The Cardinals shot 45 percent from the floor, made 6-of-17 from 3 and connected on 3-of-11 from the free-throw line. They committed 15 turnovers.

Pella Christian got 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists from Cooper Spronk and Deacon Branderhorst put in 16 points.

Landon Fransman added six points and eight boards and the Eagles shot 58 percent from the floor and committed 12 turnovers.

Pella Christian (8-11, 2-9) shot 5-of 14 from 3 and made 5-of-10 from the foul line.