The North Decatur boys basketball team played its first game in more than a week after winter weather postponed both weekend games.

The Chargers fell to Knightstown 73-63 Monday night on the road. The visitors have lost two straight games for the first time this season, previously falling to Class 3A Batesville Jan. 29.

The Panthers took control of the game early, leading North 17-9 after the first eight minutes. The Chargers closed the gap by two points, though, and trailed 28-22 at the half.

Knightstown (10-5) answered with a 21-12 scoring edge in the third quarter.

North exploded for 29 points in the final quarter, but could not contain a Panther offense that tallied 24.

North falls to 10-6 with the defeat.

Ten Chargers scored, while three posted double figures.

Leading North in scoring was junior Isaac Loechle with 21 points. He hit five 3-pointers and three baskets inside the arc. Senior Alex Pulskamp followed up with 12 points, including an 8-for-10 effort from the foul line. Junior Tyler Brown scored 11 points, hitting a trio of treys. Junior Justin Huber followed up with six points. Scoring three apiece were senior Thomas Speer and sophomore Paul Badgley. Adding two each were senior Derek Moore, junior Quentin Dieckmann and freshman John Hammersmith. Senior Eric Lusk added one.

North made eight three’s overall and 15 of 25 free throws (60 percent).

JV Chargers Fall 37-26

The junior varsity Chargers fell to Knightstown 37-26 Monday in the first game.

North spoiled an 11-5 second-quarter lead, then trailed 20-16 at the break. Knightstown fueled a key 13-4 run to take a 33-20 lead going into the final quarter, when the Panthers outscored the Chargers 6-4.

Leading North was Paul Badgley with nine points on a team-high four baskets. Scoring five apiece were John Hammersmith and Jesse Elsner, while Kevin Geis added four. Andrew Means rounded out the offense with three points.