BALLSTON SPA — The Ballston Spa varsity boys basketball team suffered its first loss of the season on Friday, falling 62-54 to Bethlehem at home.
Neither team was able to gain separation in the opening quarter, with the squads battling to a 13-13 tie after one. Bethlehem used strong perimeter shooting to pull ahead in the second, and never relinquished the lead.
The Eagles led 33-26 at halftime, and pulled out to a 10-point advantage at the end of the third quarter. The Scotties went on a run early in the fourth, pulling within three points, but Bethlehem was able to hold off the home team, using strong free-throw shooting to lock up a 62-54 victory.
Nick Verdile had 17 points to lead Ballston Spa in the loss. Blaine Zoller had 10 points, while Ben Phillips and Nico Savini each scored eight points. Mike Miller had six points, and James Haughton added five points.
Cameron LaClair led all scorers with 23 points for Bethlehem. Christian Franchini had 12 points, with Logan Yohe adding nine points and Jay Felio adding seven. Kieran Barnes had six points, and Caden Bernardo had five points for the Eagles.
Ballston Spa (12-1 overall, 7-1 Suburban Council) travels to face Columbia at 7 p.m. on Friday.
