In a pivotal CSAA-Red matchup Thursday night, the Big Rapids Cardinals knocked off the Newaygo Lions 75-51 on the road behind a strong shooting performance.

Big Rapids started the game strong, scoring the game's first four points in the paint thanks to Lamont Belvin. While the Lions would claw back to get within four, a pair of three-pointers from Liam McLaughlin would push the Cardinals to a ten-point lead after the first. Big Rapids would continue the strong shooting in the second quarter, scoring off Lion turnovers and earning second-chance points to grow the lead to 14 at the half. 

While Newaygo would hit some big shots to start the second half, the Cardinals resorted back to defense to settle in once again. A steal and slam by Gabe Njenga initiated a big run by Big Rapids, eventually taking the third quarter 57-35. The bench would clear for Coach Ingles in the fourth, playing all dressed players in the final frame. Great defense and offensive rebounding gave the team some massive positives the rest of the way, clinching the series sweep over Newaygo by 24.

Njenga led Cardinal scorers with 16, followed Cole Haist with 13, McLaughlin with 12, and JaReese Moten and Belvin each adding nine. Moten, Njenga, and Belvin had each reached an estimated eight rebounds on the night with Cole Haist adding over five assists. Njenga also added four blocks, all in the first half.

Isaiah Miedema led Lion scores with an estimated 13 points, followed by Ethan Reyburn and Blake Kerr with 11 apiece. Newaygo falls to 7-12 on the year with the loss and 4-5 in CSAA-Red games

Big Rapids improves to 14-5 on the season with the win and 8-1 in conference games, which gives them the opportunity to play for a share of the CSAA-Red conference championship against Grant at home next Friday night. First, the Cardinals will travel to Kent City on Tuesday night to face the Eagles. 

Pregame will begin at 6:30 P.M. with tip-off following at 7:00 P.M. on WBRN.