BATH (WLIO) — Two teams trending in the right direction squared off Friday night as Bath hosted Defiance in a late-season matchup. The Wildcats entered having won six of their last eight, while the Bulldogs had taken five of their previous seven.

The game tightened into the fourth quarter tied at 29. That’s when Bath’s ball movement created space for Zach Welsch, who stepped into an open three to push the Wildcats in front 32-29.

Bath kept its foot on the gas moments later. An inbound pass found Logan Markley cutting to the rim, and the senior converted through contact to stretch the margin to two possessions.

Defiance refused to fade. Out of a timeout, the Bulldogs executed cleanly as Trey Bibler slipped past his defender for a bucket to trim the deficit to four. Bibler later added a spinning finish high off the glass to keep Defiance within striking distance.

But Markley answered every challenge. The senior took control down the stretch, attacking off the dribble for a smooth finish on his way to a game-high 16 points.

Bath ultimately created separation in the closing minutes, sealing a 44-36 victory on its home floor.

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