By Paul Lecker

Sports Reporter

AMHERST — The Auburndale boys basketball team suffered its second-straight loss and third defeat in its last four games, falling 49-44 at Amherst High School on Tuesday night.

Auburndale led 9-7 after the first quarter before the Falcons (10-2) pulled ahead and built a double-digit lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Apaches closed late but fell five points short.

Matt Nikolay had 18 points, and Josh VanSchoick added 17 for the Apaches (7-4).

Auburndale hosts Athens on Thursday.

(Hub City Times Sports Reporter Paul Lecker is also the publisher of MarshfieldAreaSports.com.)

Falcons 49, Apaches 44

Auburndale 9 6 9 20 – 44

Amherst 7 13 11 18 – 49

AUBURNDALE (44): Josh VanSchoick 17, Alex Marth 6, Jake Lewis 3, Matt Nikolay 18. Record: 7-4.

AMHERST (49): Connor Zblewski 5, Garrett Groshek 7, Ryker Strand 2, Tyler Biadasz 24, Amaziah McCall 2, Harry Piotrowski 4, Cameron Gaulke 2, Nick Blum 3. Record: 10-2.