By KEVIN HARRIS
BORDEN — Entering Friday’s Class A matchup, the Borden boys’ basketball team had Orleans’ number with a three-game win streak in the series.
The fourth-ranked Bulldogs made sure that streak did not grow to four.
Orleans held the host Braves to a season-low point total to prevail 63-27. It was the Bulldogs’ first victory over Borden since 2006-07 and their 10th triumph in the last 13 meetings.
The Braves’ offense struggled all night against the vaunted Orleans’ defense, which ranks 13th in the state. For the game, Borden (4-8) shot only 33 percent from the field (10-of-30), committed 17 turnovers and had no players score in double figures.
“Our turnovers were horrendous. They led to a lot of easy baskets for them,” fourth-year Braves’ head coach Doc Nash said. “We just try to hold onto the ball and get a good shot. We wanted to try to get the high-percentage shot.”
The Bulldog offense was hitting on all cylinders. Orleans made 60 percent of its field goals (24-of-40), turned the ball over only nine times and had nine players score.
The Bulldogs (11-1) were a model of efficiency in their scoring by quarters. They tallied 16 points each in the first three periods and 15 in the final stanza.
Senior guard Jonathan Smith led Orleans with 16 points, while 6-foot-6 senior center Cameron Carroll chipped in 10.
For the majority of the game, Borden used a 3-2 zone to try to contain the Bulldogs.It did not faze Orleans one bit.
“We struggled playing our defense,” Nash said. “I’d rather have them take jump shots and get the ball in the paint. But they hit everything.”
Freshman Billy Kirchgessner was the Braves’ top scorer with nine points. Borden sophomore Brandon Beam, who averaged 18.5 points in last weekend’s wins over Christian Academy of Indiana and Henryville, mustered only three points. Orleans outrebounded the Braves, 27-13.
Borden will visit Shawe Memorial next Friday.
ORLEANS 16 16 16 15—63
BORDEN 11 7 4 5—27
Orleans (11-1) – Mathers 6, Smith 16, Bostic 4, Bradley 2, Johnson 8, Warren 4, Busick 0, Jones 6, Parks 7, Moldrem 0, Carroll 10.
Borden (4-8) – Beam 3, Scott 0, Little 4, Kirchgessner 9, Jackson 4, Ellis 0, Wagoner 2, Rich 3, Mitchell 0, Morris 2.
3-point field goals – Orleans 5 (Mathers 2, Jones 2, Parks); Borden 1 (Kirchgessner).
Rebounds – Orleans 27 (Johnson 7); Borden 13 (Wagoner 4).
Turnovers – Orleans 9, Borden 17.
Junior varsity – Orleans 48, Borden 32.
