Roseburg’s Kaden Seely battles against Sheldon in the Southwest Conference opener. (PHOTO: Michael Sullivan / News-Review)

ROSEBURG – The Roseburg boys basketball team made a statement in its Southwest Conference opener on Friday at Robertson Memorial Gymnasium.

“We’re a good team. We can still beat people.”

That was the thoughts of senior guard Collin Warmouth after the Roseburg Indians defeated the Sheldon Irish 56-52. Warmouth finished with a game-high 32 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter where the Indians held off a comeback attempt by the Irish.

Roseburg, missing two key players due to injury and suspension, was coming off a 68-43 loss to North Medford on Tuesday. That 25-point defeat was the worst of the season for Roseburg. Yet, the Indians came out and challenged a much bigger Sheldon team from the opening tip.

Both teams held three-point leads in the first quarter, but Sheldon was ahead 13-12 after the first eight minutes. In the second period, the Irish went on an 8-0 to start and held their largest lead of the game at 23-14.

Roseburg (11-4; 1-0 SWC) finished the first half on a 6-0 run to get back within three at the break. The Indians kept the offense going in the second half and outscored Sheldon 15-8 to take a 35-31 advantage to the fourth.

Sheldon (7-9; 0-1 SWC) kept the game within two possessions throughout the final period and took a 47-46 lead with 1:41 to play on a traditional three-point play by Jackson Tucker. The lead was traded back-and-forth until Roseburg took the lead for good on a pair of free throws by sophomore Zack Martin with 48.4 seconds remaining.

The Indians went 8-for-10 from the free throw line in the final minute to secure the victory. Roseburg finished 24-for-29 from the charity stripe.

Roseburg held Sheldon below its scoring average for the season, despite facing a consistent lineup with three players at 6-foot-5 and taller. Warmouth said the team focused on help defense and tried to force the Irish off their spots.

Carson Ellis chipped in 10 points for Roseburg and Kaden Seely added five before fouling out.

Brycen Seghetti led three Sheldon players in double figures with 13 points. Patrick Herbert added 12 before fouling out and Dominic McGarvey contributed 11.

Roseburg will host South Eugene on Tuesday for its next conference game. Sheldon will host North Medford Tuesday.

SHELDON 13; 10; 8; 21 – 52
ROSEBURG 12; 8; 15; 21 – 56

SHELDON (52) – Brycen Seghetti 13, Herbert 12, McGarvey 11, Line 4, Tucker 3, Prickel 3, J. Frey 2, Wagers 2, Owen 2, Gittins.

ROSEBURG (56) – Collin Warmouth 32, Ellis 10, Seely 5, Lake 4, Black 3, Martin 2, Avilez 0, Adams 0.

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