Big Rapids trailed by six at the half, but the Cardinals battled back to beat the Eagles on Tuesday night.

It wasn't the prettiest win for the Cardinals, but it was enough for their 15th win of the season and their sixth road win of the season. 

Big Rapids started out the game strong, leading 7-2 in the game's opening minutes. Ty Gielczyk, in his first game back in multiple weeks from injuries, contributed multiple of Big Rapids' 11 first quarter points. Kent City would respond with some long three-point shots, earning a 16-11 first quarter lead. 

The Eagles would keep the shots going into the second, stretching the lead following multiple Big Rapids turnovers. The Cardinals would fight back within a possession, but three-pointers from Kent City's Isaiah Stuhan would get the lead to 31-25 home team.

Big Rapids would respond in a major way to start the second half, cutting the lead to 33-32 in the first two minutes of the third quarter. Long shots from Njenga and Haist would keep the run going to lead 47-46 after the third quarter.

It was a physical start to the fourth quarter, with both teams scoring buckets and fouls both ways. Big Rapids would make a run to reach a two-possession margin, but the Eagles hit some tough shots late to keep the game close. While the Cardinals struggled at the free throw line to ice, multiple key steals would end the contest for the two-point win.

Gabe Njenga led the Cardinals with 20 points and over six rebounds, followed by Gielczyk with 14 and JaReese Moten with 12 points apiece. Tanner Carlson paced Kent City with 17 points, with Isaiah Stuhan and Aaron VanderWest adding 14 a piece. 

Big Rapids, who improves to 15-5 on the year, now waits for a rematch Friday night at home against the CSAA-Red dividsion leader, Grant, for a share of the conference championship. Kent City falls to 11-10 and will travel to face Morley Stanwood on Feb. 21.