The Van-Far boys encountered high intensity and pace on Jan. 2.

The Indians lost 70-59 at home to Eastern Missouri Conference and Class 2 District 5 foe Silex (4-4, 1-2 EMO) for their first loss against the Owls since 2014. Van-Far (5-4, 1-2 EMO) was outscored in each of the first three quarters.

“Silex was the hungrier team,” head coach Pat Connaway said. “They outworked us and their pressure bothered us. We didn’t make good decisions and turned the ball over way too many times. They wore us out, we were tired and our bench really isn’t ready for a game of this intensity and pace.”

Connaway said Silex used a junk defense to take away Pacey Reading and Gaven Gaston, who finished with 13 and nine points, respectively. He said Van-Far’s other players were forced to make shots.

Gibson Condie took advantage of scoring opportunities to lead Van-Far with 18 points. Kaleb Baskett finished with 13 points. Baskett and Condie combined for seven 3-pointers. 

Connaway said Van-Far had some players step up to have good offensive nights, but they still passed up a lot of open looks.

“We have to realize our supporting cast needs to step up when others are being taken away,” Connaway said. “I think we get a little too content and feel like we are ‘shooting too much’ when that is what you have to do to drive defenses out of that stuff.”

Connaway said he hopes Van-Far can learn from this game.

“We need to get in better shape, take care of the ball and make teams suffer when they junk us,” Connaway said.