Basketball Recap: Owen Roszman's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Vanlue over Hardin Northern

Vanlue was not able to break out of their rough patch on Monday as the team picked up their tenth straight loss. They were five points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 51-46 heartbreaker at the hands of the Hardin Northern Polar Bears. The Wildcats lost against the Polar Bears in their previous head to head back in February of 2024, too, but the margin this time around was much closer than the 69-30 score last time.

Vanlue lost despite a true team effort on offense. The best among them was Owen Roszman, who posted 14 points and six boards. Landon Saltzman was another key player, putting up eight points along with nine rebounds and five assists.

Hardin Northern's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Mason Stewart led the charge by almost dropping a double-double with ten points and nine boards. Those nine rebounds gave Stewart a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Xander Wilson, who dropped a double-double with 16 points and 13 boards.

Vanlue's record is now 2-18. As for Hardin Northern, they have been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four games, which provided a nice bump to their 8-13 record this season.

Vanlue has already played their next match, a 61-58 win against Cardinal Stritch on the 11th. As for Hardin Northern, they will face off against Upper Scioto Valley at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.