Head-Royce lost for the first time this season Friday, falling 55-44 at Athenian after the hosts pulled away at the free throw line in the second half. The Jayhawks, who won 74-66 at Athenian on Jan. 18, dropped to 9-1. Athenian made 22 of 36 free throws, and Head-Royce went 12 of 18.
Athenian opened with a three, and the early points came mostly from the line. Jaden made two free throws and Uche Okereke added one to tie it 3-3, and Bryce later made three straight free throws to even it at 10. Christian's three, assisted by Andre, gave Head-Royce its first lead at 13-12. Athenian answered with a three, and then the Jayhawks went on an 8-0 run. Christian hit back-to-back threes, the second set up by Bryce, and Marcel's second-chance basket made it 21-15.
Christian's fourth three pushed the lead to 24-19, and Jaden scored on two straight second-chance baskets for a 28-20 lead, Head-Royce's largest of the night at eight. Athenian scored the last three points of the half, and the Jayhawks led 28-23 at the break.
Baskets by Marcel, Micah and Andre kept Head-Royce ahead by five to eight points early in the second half. Bryce's second-chance basket made it 36-31, but Athenian scored the next four points to get within 36-35. Bryce made two free throws for a 38-35 lead, and then the game turned. Athenian went on a 7-0 run, tying the game at 38 and taking its first lead since 15-13 on a free throw. A basket off a turnover made it 42-38. After Osagie's free throw, Athenian added a second-chance basket and a free throw for a 45-39 lead. Bryce scored and added a free throw to cut the gap to 45-42, but Athenian answered with eight straight free throws, an 8-0 run that produced a 53-42 lead, the largest of the game at 11. Micah's basket was the last Head-Royce score, and Athenian closed with two more free throws.
Christian led Head-Royce with 12 points, all before halftime, making 4 of 11 three-point attempts. Bryce added 10 points, going 6 of 7 at the line, with 4 rebounds and an assist. Marcel had 6 points, a team-high 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, and Jaden added 6 points and 5 rebounds. Osagie grabbed 6 rebounds, 3 of them offensive, and Micah finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds.
The field goal numbers were nearly even. Head-Royce shot 24.6 percent (14 of 57) and 4 of 21 from three, while Athenian shot 25.4 percent (15 of 59). The free throw line decided it. Head-Royce was called for 25 fouls to Athenian's 10, and the hosts attempted twice as many free throws, 36 to 18. Athenian also won the rebounding battle 33-32, with 14 offensive boards, although Head-Royce held an 8-4 edge in second-chance points. The Jayhawks committed 9 turnovers to Athenian's 2, and Athenian turned those turnovers into 4 points.
The loss ended Head-Royce's unbeaten start, and the Jayhawks are now 9-1 on the season.