PIQUA — A slow start spelled doom for the Piqua boys basketball team in a second loss to Sidney in four days Monday night at Garbry Gymnasium.

The Indians couldn’t overcome and early 17-4 deficit in a 54-51 loss to the Yellow Jackets.

Piqua dropped to 6-5 overall and 5-3 in the MVL, while Sidney improved to 11-2 overall and 9-2 in the MVL.

After trailing 47-36 going to the fourth quarter, Bryson Roberts rallied the Indians.

Roberts scored 12 points in the fourth quarter.

He scored the first five points of the quarter to make it 47-41.

While Sidney scored just three points in the first seven minutes of the quarter, Caleb Lyons made a basket and Anson Cox hit one of two free throws before a Bryson Roberts three with 1:10 remaining got Piqua within 50-47.

Piqua got the ball back with a chance to get closer or tie it, but missed the front end of a one-and-one.

Sidney would open the lead back up to seven points, before Bryson Roberts scored two baskets in the final 20 seconds of the game for the final margin.

After getting down 17-4, Piqua had a seven-point run late in the first quarter.

Tanner Kemp scored, Josh Crusey hit a 3-pointer and Dre’Sean Roberts had a put back.

Sidney would open the lead to double digits in the second quarter, before a 3-pointer by Dre’Sean Roberts and a basket by Quintyn Yaqub on a Dre’Sean Roberts assists made it 26-21.

Sidney would open the lead back up to 35-26 at halftime.

Piqua opened the third quarter with a 7-2 run to get within 37-33.

Anson Cox had two baskets, the second off a Bryson Roberts assist and Colton Beougher hit a 3-pointer.

But, Sidney would take the lead back to 47-36 going to the fourth quarter, before Piqua’s rally came up just short.

Bryson Roberts led Piqua with 15 points and three steals.

Dre’Sean Roberts scored nine — all in the first half and pulled down five rebounds.

Yaqub scored eight points, Cox added seven points and Kemp had four assists.

Sam Reynolds led Sidney with 19 points.

Jaden Swiger scored 16 points and Myles Vordemark added 10 points.

Piqua was 20 of 46 from the floor for 44 percent, including seven of 16 from 3-point range for 44 percent. The Indians were four of nine from the line for 44 percent.

Sidney was 20 of 40 from the floor for 50 percent, including two of eight from long range for 25 percent. The Jackets made 12 of 18 free throws for 67 percent.

Sidney won the battle of the boards 30-22 and had 10 turnovers to Piqua’s 16.

Bradford 62,

Mid. Christian 48

BRADFORD — The Bradford boys basketball team improved to 9-5 with a home win over Middletown Christian Monday.

Bradford led 18-15, 29-23 and 50-30 at the quarter breaks.

GIRLS

Bethel 45,

FM 24

PITSBURG — The Bethel girls basketball team cruised to a 45-24 win over Franklin Monroe Monday night to improve to 14-2 on the season.

The Bees led 14-5, 20-9 and 35-14 at the quarter breaks.

Maddie Montgomery led Bethel with 12 points.

Karley Moore scored eight points and Rhyan Reittinger, Leah Heffner and Kerigan Calhoun all scored seven.