The Alva Goldbugs didn't seem to be in the game as they started the home game against Woodward. The Boomers began with a 10-0 run before Alva got on the board. The five Goldbug seniors started the game, but Kyler Penco came off the bench to challenge Woodward and take back the lead 22-19 at the half. The score stayed close until the final period when Alva pulled ahead to win 45-36.

First Half

Woodward freshman Kash Shipley started the scoring with a three-point shot followed by a Jake Mead basket. Shipley hit another trey, and Jesus Cano scored to put the Boomers up 10-0.

Jackson Feely put Alva on the scoreboard with a basket on a Penco assist. Then Penco went in for a reverse layup to finish the quarter. Zack Chavez tried for a triple, but it was an air ball. The quarter ended with Woodward leading 10-4.

In the second quarter, the Goldbugs added two points when Braden Hofen rebounded a Feely miss and tipped the ball in. Mead went to the free throw line but missed both tries. Penco passed to Feely who scored, and Alva was within two at 10-8. Shipley widened the margin with a basket. Penco was fouled while shooting but missed both chances. Penco then went on his own 6-0 run with a couple of layups and another basket off a Jaxon Jones rebound. Shipley made two free throws to tie the score at 14.

Austin Reed scored two points off the glass for Alva. Feely blocked a Woodward shot, and Penco made another basket. Penco followed with two points off the rim, and Alva led 20-14.

The Boomers cut into the lead with a Chavez three-pointer and a basket from Cano. Goldbug Philip Randall scored on a put-back, and the Goldbugs led 22-19 at halftime

Second Half

Mead narrowed the Alva lead to one point with a couple of made free throws. The Boomers took the lead on a Shipley basket at 23-22, but Chuck Shelite scored on a runner to take it back. Penco hit a left-handed layup to give the Goldbugs a 26-23 lead.

Mead cut into the margin with a basket, but Daylon Malone passed to Reed who scored. Mead scored for Woodward, and Alva led by one point. Feely went to the free throw line, making one of two. At the end of the third quarter, Alva led by two points, 29-27.

The fourth quarter began with Shipley taking back the lead on a three-point shot. Penco went to the free throw line, making both to regain the Goldbug lead. Chavez sank a shot from three-point range, and Woodward led 33-31. Goldbug Daylon Malone went to the free throw line on a one-and-one. He hit both shots to tie the game at 33.

Penco grabbed an offensive rebound and put the ball through the hoop. Shipley fouled out, sending Malone to the free throw line to make both shots. Penco scored on a rebound and tip-in; he then stole the ball and scored two more points on a layup. Alva led 41-33.

Reed went to the free throw line, making one of two. Mead hit his first three-pointer of the game. Malone was again at the free throw line, making one of two. As the game clock wound down, Penco was sent to the foul line where he made both shots. The final was Alva 45, Woodward 36.

Wrap-Up

Desiree Morehead

Alva's Kyler Penco (12) makes a two-pointer with a lay-up during Tuesday night's game against Woodward.

The Alva Goldbugs are now 20-2 on the season. Alva was led in scoring by Penco with 24 points. Feely, Malone and Reed each had five points. Hofen, Shelite and Randall had two each.

Shipley led the Boomers with 15 points followed by Mead with 11. Chavez had six points and Cano four.

The Goldbugs will travel to Okeene on Monday, Feb. 14, to take on the Minco Bulldogs for the final contest of the regular season.