By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka West's boys basketball team rode a 31-point third quarter to an 83-58 win at Manhattan Tuesday night, opening up a two-game lead in the Centennial League race.
Topeka West improved to 12-2 overall and 9-1 in the league and Tuesday's win, coupled with Washburn Rural's loss at Seaman, allowed West to open up a two-game advantage over Rural and Highland Park.
West held a slim 37-36 lead at the half, but exploded for 31 points in the third quarter to take a commanding 68-51 lead and outscored the Indians 15-7 the rest of the way.
Senior point guard Marque Wilkerson led the Chargers with a game-high 26 points, including 4 3-pointers, while junior Elijah Brooks added 18 points, junior Zander Putthoff 12 on 4 3-pointers and senior Trevion Alexander 11 points.
Senior Owen Braxmeyer scored 19 points to lead Manhattan with 19 points while Tate Brown added 13 points and Jack Wilson 12. The Indians fell to 6-7 overall and 4-6 in the league.
MANHATTAN GIRLS 45, TOPEKA WEST 30
Topeka West's girls outscored Manhattan 16-15 in the second half Tuesday night, but it was too little, too late for the Chargers, who dug themselves a 30-14 halftime hole en route to a 45-30 Centennial League loss to the Indians at Manhattan.
Manhattan, which improved to 7-6 overall and 6-3 in the league, opened up a 15-8 first-quarter advantage and took control with a 15-6 second quarter.
Grace Dixon, a 6-foot-1 junior, led Manhattan with 14 points, while 6-0 junior Taylor Claussen added 9.
Topeka West (2-11, 1-9) was led by sophomore Makinsey Jones with 6 points.
MANHATTAN GIRLS 45, TOPEKA WEST 30
Topeka West 8 6 10 6 -- 30
Manhattan 15 15 7 8 -- 45
Topeka West (2-11, 1-9) -- Jones 3 0-0 6, S. Triplett 2 0-0 4, Sanchez 0 1-2 1, Benson 1 0-0 3, Clark 1 1-2 4, Ford 2 1-2 5, Anthony 0 0-0 0, Duncan 0 1-2 1, Davis 1 1-3 3, Henderson 0 3-4 3. Totals 10 8-15 30.
Manhattan (7-6, 6-3) -- Yates 1 1-1 3, Claussen 3 2-5 9, Awbrey 3 0-1 6, Larson 1 0-1 2, Dixon 6 2-2 14, Chauncey 2 1-4 5, Bahr 0 0-0 0, Newcomer 0 0-0 0, Griffee 0 0-0 0, Kuntz 0 0-0 0, Doering 2 2-2 6, Ruliffson 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 8-16 45.
3-point goals -- Topeka West 2 (Benson, Clark), Manhattan 1 (Claussen). Total fouls -- Topeka West 14, Manhattan 13. Fouled out -- none.
TOPEKA WEST BOYS 83, MANHATTAN 58
Topeka West 20 17 31 15 -- 83
Manhattan 16 20 15 7 -- 58
Topeka West (12-2, 9-1) -- Wilkerson 11 0-0 26, Brooks 8 2-2 18, Austin 2 0-0 6, T. Alexander 5 1-2 11, Putthoff 4 0-0 12, X. Alexander 2 0-0 5, Lira 1 0-0 2, Peterson 0 1-2 1, Berg 0 0-0 0, Lowery 0 0-0 0, Mehrens 0 0-0 0. Totals 33 4-6 83.
Manhattan (6-7, 4-6) -- Braxmeyer 7 3-7 19, Perkins 2 2-4 8, Reid 0 0-0 0, Carr 2 0-0 4, J. Wilson 6 0-0 12, Hall 0 0-0 0, C. Wilson 1 0-0 2, Brown 5 0-0 13, Campbell 0 0-0 0, Wilcoxson 0 0-0 0, Delart 0 0-0 0, Coonrod 0 0-0 0. Totals 23 5-11 58.
3-point goals -- Topeka West 11 (Wilkerson 4, Putthoff 4, Austin 2, X. Alexander), Manhattan 7 (Brown 3, Braxmeyer 2, Perkins 2). Total fouls -- Topeka West 8, Manhattan 8. Fouled out -- none.
