Buckeye edged in fourth-quarter comeback at Westlake, 66-64

WESTLAKE, Ohio — Buckeye Men’s Basketball saw a double-digit road lead slip away Friday night, as Westlake used a big fourth-quarter push to hand the Bucks a 65-64 conference loss at Westlake High School.

Buckeye controlled the game for three quarters, building a 12-point advantage by halftime and still leading by seven going into the fourth. Westlake, however, seized the momentum in the final eight minutes, outscoring the Bucks 21-12 in the fourth quarter to rally for the one-point win.

Senior guard Austin Hyre led Buckeye’s offensive effort with 20 points, knocking down three 3-pointers to pace the perimeter attack. Turner Dolata provided a strong interior presence with 16 points and seven rebounds, helping the Bucks establish their early edge on the glass and in the paint. Derek Snyderburn added 12 points and six rebounds, giving Buckeye a reliable third scoring option in a balanced starting unit.

The Bucks’ perimeter shooting was a key factor in building the early cushion. Hyre stretched the floor with his three makes from beyond the arc, while Jacob Snyderburn and Zak Stough each connected on two 3-pointers to keep Westlake’s defense spread out. That outside shooting, combined with Dolata’s work inside, helped Buckeye dictate tempo through the first half and maintain control into the third quarter.

Defensively, Buckeye limited Westlake’s rhythm for much of the night, holding the Demons in check long enough to create the 12-point halftime margin. The Bucks continued to battle on the boards and rotate effectively through three quarters, but Westlake found its stride late, capitalizing on key possessions in the fourth to chip away at the deficit and ultimately move in front down the stretch.

Despite the final result, Buckeye’s performance featured multiple positives on the road in league play, including a sustained first-half surge, strong contributions from multiple scorers, and productive work on the glass from the frontcourt. The Bucks will look to build on those elements and finish stronger in late-game situations as they move deeper into the conference schedule.

Buckeye returns to action in upcoming league play aiming to convert similar early leads into complete 32-minute efforts and turn narrow road setbacks into future conference wins.