Fuerlinger scores 30 in Dons’ win

By Paul Lecker

Sports Reporter

MARSHFIELD — The Marshfield Columbus Catholic boys basketball team held off a late comeback attempt from Owen-Withee to win 93-87 in a Cloverbelt Conference East Division game Tuesday night at Columbus Catholic High School.

The Dons led by as many as 15 and held a 54-42 advantage at halftime before Owen-Withee charged back.

The Blackhawks got as close as two late before Columbus was able to hold on.

Columbus, ranked No. 1 in this week’s WisSports.net Division 5 state coaches poll, improves to 17-0 overall and 12-0 in the Cloverbelt East. Owen-Withee is now 10-5 and 9-3 in the conference.

Tyler Fuerlinger had 30 points, and Hunter Schultz added 22 for the Dons in the win.

Preston Shelton had 24 points and Darryn Bottlemy had 22 for Owen-Withee.

“We were fortunate to shoot the ball well in the first half and get a win against a good team,” Columbus Catholic coach Joe Konieczny said. “I am not sure I’ve ever seen a team play with as much heart as Owen-Withee did tonight.”

Columbus plays at Gilman on Friday.

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

Dons 93, Blackhawks 87

Owen-Withee 42 45 – 87

Columbus Catholic 54 39 – 93

OWEN-WITHEE (87): Marlin Pagodzinski 14, Brandon Bennett 2, Preston Shelton 24, Kole Karabe 5, A.J. Ovyn 17, Derek Hubbard 3, Darryn Bottlemy 22. Record: 10-5, 9-3 Cloverbelt Conference East Division.

COLUMBUS CATHOLIC (93): Jarred Mandel 6, Charles Payant 6, Ryan Dieringer 12, Peyton Nystrom 2, Nick Malovrh 8, Hunter Schultz 22, Ethan Meece 4, Tyler Fuerlinger 30, Noah Hansen 3. Record: 17-0, 12-0 Cloverbelt Conference East Division.