Margaretta falls at Colonel Crawford for first loss of season North Robinson, Ohio — Margaretta welcomed the challenge of a road test against one of Division VI’s top programs. The experience proved valuable, even as the result snapped the Polar Bears’ unbeaten start. Colonel Crawford closed strong down the stretch to hand Margaretta a 51-45 loss Monday night in nonconference play, marking the Polar Bears’ first defeat of the season. Margaretta struggled to capitalize on late offensive possessions, allowing the Eagles to regain control after the Polar Bears briefly surged ahead in the fourth quarter. Colonel Crawford improved to 5-0, while Margaretta dropped to 8-1. The Polar Bears trailed by as many as 10 points midway through the third quarter before mounting a response. Julian Washington, Tyson Bailey and Kale Bailey scored on consecutive possessions to pull Margaretta within four. Despite the Eagles pushing the margin back to six entering the fourth, Margaretta continued to press. Kale Bailey opened the final quarter with a three-pointer, and free throws by Judah Keller trimmed the deficit to one. Washington later gave Margaretta a 43-42 lead with a jumper at the 3:27 mark, its first lead since early in the game. Colonel Crawford responded with a decisive finish. Peyton Baker knocked down a corner three to swing the momentum, and Brayden Holt converted free throws late to seal the outcome. Margaretta set the tone early, jumping out to a 6-0 lead and carrying a 17-9 advantage after one quarter. Keller scored from beyond the arc, added points at the line, and Washington energized the crowd with a dunk during the opening stretch. The Eagles adjusted in the second quarter by working the ball inside to Payne DeGray, who scored 10 points in the period. Back-to-back three-pointers helped Colonel Crawford erase Margaretta’s lead, and the teams went into halftime tied at 25. Colonel Crawford opened the second half with a 19-1 run, building a 36-26 advantage. Margaretta responded with improved ball movement and defensive pressure, keeping the game within reach until the final minute. Washington led the Polar Bears with 16 points and six rebounds. Keller added 10 points and five rebounds, while Kale Bailey finished with nine points and Tyson Bailey contributed eight. DeGray powered the Eagles with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Holt added 11 points and eight rebounds as Colonel Crawford committed just two turnovers across the second and third quarters combined. Margaretta remains unbeaten in Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division play at 3-0 and returns to action Friday at Vermilion. Box Score MARGARETTA (8-1) Kale Bailey 4 0-0 9, Keiygan Morris 0 0-0 0, Julian Washington 6 4-4 16, Judah Keller 2 5-6 10, Tyson Bailey 4 0-0 8, Jake Bouy 1 0-0 2. TOTALS 17 9-10 45 COLONEL CRAWFORD (5-0) Parker Weithman 2 0-0 6, Peyton Baker 2 0-0 6, John DeGray 2 1-2 5, Brayden Holt 3 5-8 11, Payne DeGray 11 1-5 23. TOTALS 20 7-15 51 Margaretta 17 8 7 13 — 45 Colonel Crawford 9 16 13 13 — 51 Three-point goals: Margaretta 2 (K. Bailey, Keller); Colonel Crawford 4 (Weithman 2, Baker 2)