The Exira-EHK boys basketball team ground their way to a 62-51 home win over CAM on Friday night. The Spartans jumped on top early and were able to fight off any run the Cougars had the rest of the way.

The Spartans opened the game with a 21-8 lead by the end of the first quarter and built that up to 25-8 before the Cougars fought back. CAM eventually clawed back within five early in the second half at 34-29 but the Spartans responded with a 6-0 run to seize control right back.

It was a physical game inside and the Spartans got into the double-bonus before the start of the fourth quarter. Exira-EHK ended up cashing in on 15 of 20 foul shots in the second half. Derrek Kommes led the Spartans with 15 points, Trey Petersen added 13 and Cash Emgarten scored 10. Kommes talked about how they handled the rough nature of the game.

Kommes said even though it was tough sledding inside, they still wanted to get in the paint to force some fouls.

Exira-EHK improves to 13-1 on the season and will get a chance to avenge their lone loss of the season on Monday when they host West Harrison.

CAM was led by 18 from Chase Jahde and 10 from Sam Foreman. The Cougars fall to 6-6 on the year and they will host West Harrison on Tuesday.