MICHIGAN CITY | Almost every shot was contested. Almost every pass had to be crisp and on the money.
Michigan City needed to be perfect offensively to beat Duneland Conference rival Lake Central Friday at the Wolves Den. It wasn't, and the Times No. 7 Indians left with a 56-26 win.
"Our kids did a really good job," coach Dave Milausnic said. "We came out focused on our gameplan defensively and executed it well."
The Indians held M.C. without a field goal for a stretch of more than 12 minutes in the first half, during which the Wolves missed a few shots but the Indians prevented them from taking many more. City never scored double digit points in a quarter.
City (7-11, 5-8) had only nine points at halftime. Lake Central's Tyler Wideman nearly matched that along with eight.
Wideman finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds, both tops for the game.
"We were just playing team defense, jumping to the ball," Wideman said. "We've been working really hard in practice, trying to get ready for the sectional and trying to get a good carryover. We just played the game like practice."
In the teams' first meeting on Jan. 3, L.C. (12-7, 9-4) escaped with a 64-63 win in St. John.
"We're a little better defensively, this time around," Milausnic said. "You start learning what you're good at and what you can't do. We've tweaked some things in our halfcourt defense."
The Indians played four games in seven days during the first week of February. Milausnic said his team is just beginning to recover.
"The wasn't the best Michigan City can play," Milausnic said. "Nonetheless, to come over and walk away with this type of victory, it's a credit to the focus that our kids have had this past week."
Ryan Taylor led the Wolves with 11 points. Lake Central hit 15 of 16 free throws.
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