The Western Michigan Christian boys basketball team moved into a first-place tie in the Lakes Eight Conference on Friday night with a 55-51 win over previously undefeated Muskegon Orchard View.

After Friday night's loss to the Warriors, the Cardinals are in a three-way tie with WMC and Muskegon Heights, as all three teams are now 2-1 in league play.

The Warriors came out focused and energized early on, as they raced out to a 16-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and hung on for a 27-22 halftime lead.

The Cardinals cut the Warriors' lead to one in the third quarter, but WMC would hold a 44-35 lead going into the final period.

The Cardinals got close in the final period on 3-point shooting by Brady Bowen, who finished with 18 points on six 3-point buckets.

WMC's Brant Zeerip hit a free throw for the Warriors to make it 55-51 with 20 seconds left and that score would hold the rest of the way.

Freshman Owen Varnado led the Warriors (3-4, 2-1 Lakes Eight) with 16 points, followed by Kellen Mitchell with 12 points and Zeerip chipped in with 10 points.

"We were able to get out to a great start tonight, and I was proud of our team effort and execution early in the game," said WMC head coach Kurt Gruppen.

"We survived two Orchard View runs in the second half and were able to hang on for the win in the fourth quarter. Several players stepped up for us tonight and it was a great team win against an undefeated Orchard View team.

"Even though we were still on Christmas break, we had a great fan base tonight. The fans were able to help our team get out to an early lead and we found a way to make the winning plays late for a big conference win."