When the Tigers beat Stephenville 57-39 last Friday, they ended a 16-game home losing streak that dated to 2006.
On Tuesday night, Belton made it two in a row with a 53-45 win over Waco.
The Tigers improved to 2-1, giving second-year coach John Osborn a winning record for the first time, but he was quick to point out several areas in which his team struggled.
“I think we got kind of sloppy with them,” said Osborn, whose team committed seven turnovers in the final quarter. “I thought we controlled the tempo OK but we just didn’t take care of our business, either, on our side. Out of all our scrimmages and games, that is probably the worst I’ve seen us take care of the ball, so I’m just glad to come out with a win.”
Eric Braeuer scored a game-high 20 points and hit three straight free throws to end the third quarter, giving Belton a 36-33 lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
The Tigers stretched the lead to 44-37 with 4:27 left before committing several turnovers to aid a Waco rally.
The Lions trimmed the lead to three points on three occasions, the last when Delonte Allen scored to pull Waco within 48-45 with 1:24 left.
After another Belton turnover, the Lions’ Chris Iglehart had a chance to draw closer with two free throws. Waco was whistled for being in the lane on the first attempt and Iglehart missed the second before the Tigers last touched the loose ball before it went out of bounds.
Belton guard Jacob Whitman then made a crucial steal and added a free throw for a 49-45 lead with 40 seconds left.
Lions guard Da’Tron Harris missed a 3-point attempt and Belton’s Saquonne Crump converted two free throws with 15 seconds left before Whitman’s late basket closed the scoring.
The Tigers made 11 of 14 free throws in the fourth and 17 of 21 in the second half to pull away for the victory after going 5-for-12 in the first half.
Crump scored 10 points and Whitman added nine.
“I think we’re young and our identity isn’t quite there yet,” said Osborn, whose team will play Bastrop at 4 p.m. Thursday at Georgetown’s tournament. “We’re still playing around and toying with things. Our identity hasn’t really come out yet.
“I’ve been saying it all year and I’ll continue to say it: I really think we’re going to be a whole lot better in January than we are right now.”
cmeister@temple-telegram.com
