WARDEN - The Warden Cougars improved their record to 5-3 in the 2B Central Washington Conference after splitting games over the weekend. Warden beat Waterville Friday, then lost to league leading White Swan Saturday.

Warden 59

Waterville 24

Victor Flores had 16 points, six rebounds and six steals to lead the Cougars to the win over the Shockers. Warden got out of the gate quick and was never seriously challenged by Waterville as the Cougars were up 12-4 after the first eight minutes of action, and led 32-10 at halftime. The second half of play didn't get any better for the visiting team as Warden outscored the Shockers 27-14 to win going away.

"These kind of games scare coaches because we do not want to play down to level of our competition, "coach Wes Richins said. "But we came out strong and never looked back."

Warden shot 47 percent from the floor, was 20-of-26 from the charity stripe, and out rebounded Waterville 34-17.

Trent Bates added 12 points and eight rebound, and Conrad Ruge finished with nine points and four assists in the winning effort for the Cougars.

White Swan 64

Warden 50

The shoe was on the other foot for Warden Saturday when the No. 3 ranked White Swan Cougars came to town looking to keep their undefeated league record in tact. And unfortunately, they did just that as they dealt Warden a 14 point loss at home.

"What a contrast in games," Richins said. "Playing teams like this really shows you where you are and what your weaknesses are."

The game was competitive in the first quarter of play as White Swan held a 13-7 lead. But a 23-11 run by the Cougars put the home team in a hole 36-18 at the break. Warden outscored White Swan in the second half of play, 32-28, but it wasn't enough to overcome the halftime deficit.   

"Three weeks ago they beat us handily at their place, so we wanted to play a smarter game and try and hang around till the end," Richins said. "And for about three quarters we did just that. But they went off in second quarter and stretched out to a 18 point halftime lead.  We cut it to 14 by the end of the third and kept pace until the end, losing by 14."           

Flores lead the way again for Warden with 14 points and five steals. Bates knocked down 12 points, had six boards and three assists. Jeremey Brown contributed eight 8 points and pulled down five rebounds in the losing effort.

The Warden Cougars (5-3, 8-8) hit the road Tuesday to take on the Soap Lake Eagles and are at home Wednesday to host Kittitas. Game time is 7:30 p.m.