The Utica boys’ basketball team (4-8, 2-5) went down big in the first quarter and could never recover, losing 58-41 to Northridge (10-3, 6-2) on Jan. 19. 

It was a close game in the first quarter, with Northridge going up 12-11. Isaac Hall had four points to lead the Redskins in the opening frame. In the second quarter, however, it was all Vikings who outscored Utica 28-9 to take a commanding 40-20 lead at the half. Roman Gamble scored all nine points for Utica in the quarter, and had 11 points at halftime.

Utica woke up in the third quarter with a 15-5 advantage, but the Vikings led 13-6 in the fourth, and were able to walk away with an easy win over the surging Utica squad.

Gamble had 22 points for the Redskins, and went 7-or-9 from the free throw line. He also grabbed eight boards. Logan Gosnell tallied nine points and Hall had four points and three assists. Gavin Chinn scored three points, Dylan Yates had two points and Tyler Collura had a point.

“We had a rough four minute stretch in the second quarter that ultimately we couldn’t overcome,” Coach Brian Radabaugh said. “We played our best basketball of the night in the third quarter cutting the lead to eight. This group continues to show resilience and gets better each and every day. That is the main reason we have won four of our last seven.”

Utica takes on Watkins Memorial (9-5, 5-2) at home for another conference matchup on Jan. 23 at 7:15 p.m.