Wayland was edged 59-56 Tuesday night in an O-K Gold Conference basketball matchup against visiting Wyoming.

The loss dropped the Wildcat boys’ overall season record to 4-5 and 1-2 in league play.

The Wolves led throughout most of the contest, 11-6 at the end of the first period and 27-17 at intermission before Wayland made things interesting. The ‘Cats were plagued by too many turnovers in the early going and were saved by the guests’s cold shooting.

Though 6-5 junior center Cory Ainsworth scored eight points in the first half, Wyoming held him scoreless until just over a minute left in the ballgame. Senior 6-7 forward Carter Nyp heated up from the outside in the third quarter and dropped in a dozen points in the eight-minute stretch to bring his team to within four, 37-33, at the close of the third period.

The defensive struggle then opened up into an offensive showcase in the final quarter, as both teams scored more than 20 points.

The Wolves were able to maintain their advantage by sinking clutch free throws and with the help of a technical foul.

Guard Jory Shepherd had to sit out the game because of concerns about a concussion, so freshman Riley Fields was brought up from the junior varsity and he and junior Carson Sevigny shared duties at point guard.

Nyp finished the game with 18 points and Ainsworth and Travis Cutler both added 14. Wyoming senior guard Melvin Frazier took individual scoring honors with 23 points and Jo’Vaun Jones added 14.

It was the fourth consecutive game that head coach Mike Hudson was not present, as he is looking after his wife, who is seriously ill. Assistant coach Justin Aten and junior varsity coach Chris Jasinski handled the team.

The Wildcats will be in action next Friday evening at 7:30 at East Grand Rapids for another O-K Gold Conference encounter.

(Photos courtesy of Kenny Ritz)