OSCODA - Jan. 26, 2007 - Whittemore-Prescott has shown definite signs of improvement this past week, but on Friday were unable to handle Oscoda's tandem of Barak Henderson and Adam Dettmer. The two Owls combined for 42 points as Oscoda handed the Cardinals a 64-44 loss in one of the few area games played north of Bay City.

"W-P doesn't have any real height, so we expected Barak to dominate, and he did," said Oscoda coach Scott Lueck. "When we are patient and get everyone to touch the ball on an offensive possession we are having great success."

The Cards stayed within 16-13 after one quarter, but Oscoda began to pull away in the second period and held a 29-19 halftime lead.

"I've been pleased with our man-to-man defense for quite a few games," Lueck said, "except for the debacle (Tuesday) at Ogemaw Heights, where we decided not to defend."

Dettmer had 14 of his points in the first half.

"He's been shooting the ball really well lately," Lueck said. "Once again, his shots are a product of moving the ball."

Henderson pulled down 18 rebounds and the Owls got 17 points off the bench, their high for the year, and shot 46 percent to W-P's 26.

On the bright side for W-P, their 44 points was their second-highest output of the year and came three days after hitting 50 against Tawas. That happened despite the Owls holding leading scorer Austin Swanson to eight points. Jeff Pokorny had a pair of 3-pointers in the first half and Kane Dietzel scored 10 second-half points as both had 10 for the Cards. Matt Ackerman also scored eight.

The Owls improved to 5-6 (3-5 NEMC), while W-P dropped to 1-9 (0-8). Oscoda hosts Hale on Tuesday while W-P plays at home against Arenac Eastern.