West Seneca West’s boys basketball team lost its offensive touch in the third quarter after playing Sweet Home to a near deadlock in the first half, which ultimately dashed the Indians’ hopes of picking up their first league win of the year.

Sweet Home, which led 33-31 at the half, began to pull away in the third quarter by snatching rebounds in the defensive end and breaking out in transition for easy layups more often than not. That strategy allowed the Panthers to push their lead to 10 points (57-47) going into the final frame, and the breathing room helped Sweet Home outscore West 14-10 in the final stanza to seal the win.

West was able to pull back within three points midway through the fourth quarter, but the Indians’ shots quit falling when they needed them to drop the most.

“We missed a couple of makable shots in crunch time,” coach Dan Chavanne said. “The game just kind of slipped away from us in the last part of the game. The scoreboard didn’t really indicate how close the game was. We just had too many turnovers and misses at key times. But, the kids battled all the way until the end. They worked hard and are doing what we ask them to do.”

Derek Cheatum and Nick Clancy each scored 14 points to pace West, while Ahmad Abdo added nine points and seven assists. John Lobdell chipped in with eight points, while Zach Marshall finished with four points and 13 rebounds.

West (2-11, 0-9 ECIC I) returned to action Tuesday against Clarence, but information about that contest was not available at press time. The Indians close out their week this afternoon against Lancaster, and then has just three league games left before the end of the regular season.

Chavanne is hoping that his players can put together a couple of four-quarter efforts over the home stretch so that the Indians enter the postseason with at least a couple of league victories under their belts.

“We’re practicing and playing like a desperate team,” Chavanne said. “We feel that each one of our final games are all winnable. We’re getting a little healthier, so if we can keep the game simple and play together, we’ll give ourselves a chance to close out the regular season on a positive note.”