WAPAKONETA, OH (WLIO) — In a matchup featuring 33 combined wins, Division VI’s top-ranked team showed why it holds that distinction.

Marion Local pulled away in the second half to defeat Wapakoneta 66-55 on Saturday night, improving to 19-1 on the season.

Wapakoneta entered the contest at 15-5 overall, and the Redskins kept pace early despite Marion Local having won six of the previous seven meetings between the teams.

Trailing by eight in the opening quarter, Wapakoneta answered when Caleb Moyer found Trent Lisi on the perimeter. The sophomore knocked down a pull-up jumper to cut the deficit to six.

Marion Local responded in the closing moments of the first quarter. Brayden Mescher converted inside off a bounce pass to give the Flyers a 22-13 lead after one.

The Flyers carried that momentum into the second quarter. Kale Ahrens poured in two of his career-high 26 points during the period as Marion Local built a 36-27 advantage by halftime.

Wapakoneta came out of the break with renewed energy. Blake Rogers scored on a short turnaround jumper to spark a 13-0 run to begin the third quarter. Caleb Adams later went off the glass for two of his team-high 17 points as the Redskins trimmed the deficit to one.

But Marion Local steadied itself down the stretch. Oliver Huelsman finished through contact to halt the Redskins’ surge, and the Flyers regained control in the final minutes.

Marion Local closed the game on a decisive run to secure the 66-55 victory and remain atop the Division VI rankings.

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