A lethargic first half performance by both teams that ended in a 12-12 tie at the half was the result of a combined 10-of-45 shooting performance from the field for both teams. 

The Firebirds finally got untracked and scored 29 points after intermission to secure their fourth win in the last six games.

Sophomore Obi Nwankwo was a big reason for the second half turnaround.  He scored all of his game-high 13 points in the second half including nine in the final quarter.  The 5-foot-10 guard also snared a game-high nine rebounds.

Two free throws and a basket by Nwankwo with a little over four minutes left in the game gave West its biggest lead of the night at 31-22.  East hung in and went on an 8-4 run to cut the lead to 35-30 with 1:31 left in the game but never got closer.  West helped East hang around by making only 7-of-12 free throws in the final quarter.

The Firebirds shot 36.6 percent from the field for the game while the Thunderhawks ended up at 25.5 percent.  Lakota East won the rebounding war by a 29-27 count.

Junior guard Brandon Candella added 11 points and four rebounds for Lakota West.  Junior forward Daniel Lyons led the way for Lakota East with 12 points.

Lakota West opens up sectional play on Feb. 13 against fellow GMC school Hamilton at 6 p.m. at Mason.  The struggling Thunderhawks, with their losing streak now at 15 games, opens up against Elder on Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at University of Cincinnati.