Despite losing at double-digit lead in the final quarter, Warsaw made the plays that counted in the final minute of a 58-55 win at Columbia City Saturday. 

After the Eagles took the lead on a pair of free throws from Aiden Denning with 1:00 left in the game, Warsaw regained the lead on a drive and score by Brandt Martin to put the Tigers up 56-55 with :40 to go. 

After an Eagle timeout, Martin stole the first pass of the play they set up and was fouled near mid-court at :20. He made one of two free throws, making the lead two points. 

A shot in the lane to tie the game for Columbia City missed and was tapped back toward the free throw line where Martin grabbed it and was fouled again. He again made one of two to put the Tigers up three. A long-range shot to send the game to overtime as time expired came up short, and so did the Eagles valiant comeback. 

Martin finished with a career-high-tying 19 points on 7-12 from the field. Robbie Finlinson scored 15 in his first varsity game as a Tiger. Luke Bricker added 11, and Luke Yeager scored 10 and grabbed 9 rebounds. 

Warsaw won the JV game 49-32 behind 18 points from Tristan Wilson, who was 4-6 from beyond the arc. Elijah Wright added 10. 

The Tiger freshmen won their season opener by topping the Eagles 35-30 across the hall from The Birdcage. An 18-4 run over the end of the second quarter and the early part of the third turned the game in Warsaw's favor. Tucker Reed had 11 points and Grady Nelson added 8. 

See the varsity and JV box scores by clicking HERE.