RUSSIA — Russia coach Spencer Cordonnier had expressed concerns with the Raiders’ offense through the first few weeks of the season. But on Tuesday night, Russia scored more than the most prolific offense in Shelby County Athletic League.

Russia outscored the Rockets by six points in the fourth quarter to earn a 57-56 in an SCAL game. The Raiders improved to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the league with the win, while Anna dropped to 5-1 and 2-1.

The Rockets average a league-best 72.6 points per game but have had progressively smaller outputs since a season opening 99-90 overtime win over New Bremen.

Anna, which beat Covington 58-36 last Saturday, couldn’t hold down Russia in the fourth quarter on Tuesday. The Raiders trailed 41-36 at the end of the third but used a 21-15 advantage in the fourth to rally.

Jordan York scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, including two 3-pointers. Hunter Cohee added seven of his 13 points in the fourth, and Daniel Kearns scored four of his 13 points in the quarter.

Wyatt Bensman led Anna with 21 points, including nine in the fourth. Joel Cathcart scored 12, Griffin Doseck scored 10 and Bart Bixler added nine.

Anna led 11-10 at the end of the first quarter and 27-25 at halftime.

Anna hosts Minster on Friday in nonconference action, while Russia plays at Botkins.

The Rockets are in third place in the SCAL, behind Russia and Fort Loramie (5-0, 2-0).

Jackson Center 44, Botkins 35

Botkins cut into Jackson Center’s lead late in an SCAL game on Tuesday. But the Tigers closed out the game to earn their first league win of the season.

Jackson Center led 30-21 at the end of the third quarter, but Botkins pulled to within seven in the final 30 seconds. The Tigers didn’t allow Botkins to pull any closer.

Jackson Center led 17-9 at the end of the first quarter and 23-15 at halftime.

Bryce Sosby and Christopher Elchert led Jackson Center with 12 points each, while Trent Platfoot added six.

Spencer Heuker led the Trojans with 13 points, while Zane Paul scored eight and Tyler Free added seven.

Jackson Center (3-3, 1-2) travels to Fairlawn on Friday, while Botkins hosts Russia.

Fairlawn 48, Houston 41

Fairlawn outscored the Wildcats 19-10 in the fourth quarter to earn a come-from-behind win in SCAL play on Tuesday.

Houston led 31-29 at the end of the third, but Ashton Piper scored nine points in the fourth to help the Jets rally.

Piper led Fairlawn with 21 points, including six free throws in the second half. Drew Brautigam added 11 points for the Jets and Luke Hickman scored 10. Fairlawn made 13-of-19 free throws in the game and 17 field goals.

Howie Ludwig led the Wildcats with 12 points while John Leist added 10. Houston made 3-of-8 free throws and 13 field goals.

Fairlawn led 13-4 after the first quarter and 18-11 at halftime, but Houston took the lead with a 20-11 scoring advantage in the third quarter.

The Jets (2-3, 1-2) host Jackson Center on Friday while Houston (1-5, 0-4) plays at Fort Loramie.

Girls basketball

New Bremen 49, Fort Loramie 41

The Cardinals controlled every facet according to Fort Loramie coach Carla Siegel, from rebounding to defensive pressure to execution on offense. The Redskins tried to rally in the fourth quarter and got it down to five at one point but could not get any closer.

New Bremen was 21-of-29 from the free-throw line, while Loramie was just 5-of-8.

Paige Jones led the Cardinals with 17 points, while Kelly Naylor added 10.

Taylor Ratermann led Fort Loramie with 10 points, while Kennedy Gephart scored nine and Kenzie Hoelscher added eight.

New Bremen (7-1, 1-1 Midwest Athletic Conference) travels to Upper Scioto Valley on Thursday.

The Redskins (4-3, 3-0 SCAL) return home on Thursday night for a league game against Houston.