Wolves survive scare from Columbus

WINFIELD - The visiting Columbus Wildcats didn't make it easy for Winfield-Mt. Union in Friday night's Class 1A Substate 4 boys basketball opener. The Wolves had to battle, but used a 21-point third quarter to knock out the Wildcats 58-45.

Columbus didn't look like a one-win team in the first half. The Wildcats stuck with WMU, as the game was tied 7-7 after one quarter and 19-19 at halftime.

WMU's defense stepped it up in the third quarter and helped give the Wolves some breathing room heading into the fourth. WMU led 40-26 with just eight minutes to play, and Columbus couldn't dig back out of the hole.

Abram Edwards and Cam Buffington each finished with a double-double. Edwards went for 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Buffington had 14 points and 10 boards.

Brady Loyd and Andrew Brown had six points apiece for the Wolves. Jacob Kongable and Konner Wade each had five, and Bryce Wade scored two.

Owen Watson led the Wildcats in scoring, with 14 points.

Columbus ends its season at 1-17. WMU (9-9) will play Notre Dame tonight (Monday) in the district quarterfinals.