By Kenny Varner

BELLEVILLE – The Juniata boys basketball team, playing in its third game in four days, picked up a non-league victory Tuesday over Belleville Mennonite.

After an early close 14-8 first quarter  lead, Juniata outscored the Thunder 20-9 in the second to all but secure the lead.

In the end, the Indians picked up the 59-35 victory.

Belleville’s Clay Ammon finished with 10 points for the lone double-digit scorer.

Juniata’s Jasper Shepps finished with a game-high 20-point performance.

In the first, Shepps scored the first basket of the game on an inside bucket.

Devin Yoder tied the game on a runner in the lane at the 7-minute mark.

Juniata went into a full court press that was successful for the entire game.

Shepps scored once again as he hit a runner in traffic to take back the lead.

Again, the Thunder had an answer as Grant Yoder hit a jumper, knotting the game once again.

Belleville took the lead for the first time when the Thunder forced a Juniata turnover and Bryson Peachey made his way in transition to the bucket to take a 6-4 lead.

Caden Swailes tied things as he hit 2-for-2 from the line after being fouled in the act of shooting.

On the following possession, Peachey once again gave the Thunder the lead with 1:45 left.

Juniata made the most of the final 1:45 going on an 8-0 run, giving the Indians a 14-8 first quarter advantage.

The run continued into the second quarter with the Juniata offense adding six more uncontested points, upping the lead to 20-8 causing BMS to take a time out.

Coming out of the time out, the Thunder ran off a 6-0 run of their own to put them back to within striking distance at 20-14.

In a game of runs, Juniata exploded to end the half going on a 14-3 run to secure the lead at 34-17.

From there the Indians continued its dominance in the second half as Big Red outscored the Thunder 25-18.