CELINA, Ohio (WLIO) — The Celina Bulldogs opened a busy stretch of their schedule Friday, hosting Bellefontaine for a doubleheader before welcoming Indian Lake for two games on Saturday.

The nightcap provided the drama.

Celina set the tone early in the second game, winning the opening tip and jumping out to a 7-0 lead highlighted by a 3-pointer from Parker Wynk.

Bellefontaine answered in the second quarter behind CJ Butler. Trailing by double digits, Butler knocked down a pull-up jumper to make it 15-8, then followed with another basket on the opposite side of the floor to cut the deficit to four.

The Chieftains continued to build momentum late in the first half. With about a minute remaining, Butler came up with a steal and converted it into points, giving Bellefontaine its first lead of the game at 25-23.

The teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter. Caleb Schlater pushed Celina back in front with a strong drive to the basket, making it 28-27. Jamison Clement kept Bellefontaine within striking distance with a 3-pointer that cut the Bulldogs’ lead to one at 39-38.

Celina found success in the paint down the stretch, with Schlater finishing through contact to extend the Bulldogs’ advantage to 52-48 late in the game.

The Bulldogs closed it out at the free-throw line and on defense, holding Bellefontaine scoreless in the final moments to secure a 59-50 victory.

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