OSCODA - Feb. 23, 2007 - Tawas Area turned up the defense in the second half and got a big lift from little-used Dale Kolnitys as the Braves held of Oscoda 49-46 on Friday.

The Owls built a 28-25 halftime lead as Adam Dettmer scored 11 points and Barak Henderson scored eight. But Kolnitys, who had scored 18 points all season before Friday, hit a pair of first-quarter 3-pointers that helped keep Tawas close.

The Braves took the lead in the third quarter as the held the Owls to just four points and 27 percent shooting for the game.

"We had several open shots in the third quarter, but only made one," said Oscoda coach Scott Lueck. "Our other basket was a put-back; that quarter killed us."

The Owls committed just four turnovers, but were 0-for-5 from 3-point range while the Braves were 5-of-11 and held a 41-32 rebounding edge.

"We made our free throws (10-of-12), but they made their 3-point shots," Lueck said. "That seemed to be the difference."

Thomas Pinkerton led the Braves (13-4, 7-4 NEMC) with 11 points, while Phil Barnes scored all of his 10 points, including a pair of triples, in the second half. Kolnitys and Jordan each had eight points, with Jordan adding 14 rebounds.

Dettmer led the Owls (10-9, 3-8) with 18 points, with Henderson adding 13 points and 15 rebounds.