LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — A marquee Division II matchup lived up to the billing Saturday as Westerville North edged Lima Senior 69-66 in a battle of top-10 teams.

The Spartans entered ranked 10th in Ohio and second in Division II with an 18-2 record, having won 12 of their last 13 games. Westerville North, the defending Division II state champions, came in 18-1 and ranked No. 1 in D-II. The Warriors are also ranked 7th in the state.

Lima Senior kept pace throughout the contest.

Early on, Willie Foster attacked the rim and finished off the glass to trim a three-point deficit to one. Later, Amari Addy connected with Dashad Greer for an and-one finish that gave the Spartans a two-point edge.

With Lima Senior trailing by one, Noah Simpson found Addy cutting to the basket for a layup to reclaim the lead. Addy later knocked down a three-pointer to extend the Spartans’ advantage to four. The senior finished with 15 points.

Foster matched him with 15 of his own, highlighted by a powerful right-handed dunk that brought the home crowd to its feet.

Despite the strong showing, the Spartans came up just short as Westerville North secured the 69-66 win.

With the loss, the Spartans fall to 18-3 overall.

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