JACKSON TWP — It was a good comeback attempt by Seneca Valley — but not good enough.

Not after Central Catholic shot a scorching 60.7 percent from the field in the first half, building a 44-27 lead.

Despite receiving 15 of Christian Durbin's game-high 29 points and all 10 of Alex Maxfield's production in the final two quarters, the Raiders boys basketball team fell short in a 73-64 home section loss in SV's William F. Paul Gymnasium Friday night.

The Raiders spent the third quarter cutting into Central's edge and trailed by 10 points entering the fourth quarter.

When Durbin followed up a basket with two free throws, the Raiders were down by only four points with 1:45 remaining.

But the Vikings (11-3, 6-1) made 7-of-8 free throws to retain the lead.

"We played well in the second half, but missed some key rebounds," said SV coach Vic Giannotta.

Though the game was in doubt, thanks to the Raiders' inspired effort late in the game, the Vikings' red-hot offense early in the contest helped the visitors retain the advantage.

In the teams' first meeting, a 63-58 Vikings' win Dec. 17, Central made seven 3-pointers the entire game. It drained six in the first half Friday.

The Vikings made their first five field goals, three of them coming from beyond the arc. as Central led 15-6 after four minutes in the first quarter.

"Shooting 3-pointers wasn't our goal, but we were running our offense and that's what we got," said Vikings coach Chuck Crummie. "We've started slow in a lot of games this year and have been behind to a lot of teams.

"If that first half wasn't the best we've shot the ball this year, it was pretty close," he added.

Central's scoring spree got a boost when the Raiders switched to a man defense, a decision Giannotta later admitted was a mistake, but he added, "With Central, it's pick your poison. They have the size inside, but can also hit shots from the outside. You have to try and defend one or the other."

Will Burgess led the Vikings with 16 points.

The Raiders (6-7, 1-6) have lost five straight, four of them section defeats.

"We have to run the table (to make the playoffs)," said Giannotta. "We're not packing it in. We didn't build a reputable program here by doing that."

Note: A halftime ceremony dedicated the Seneca Valley's gymnasium to the late Paul, a 42-year member of the Seneca Valley School Board who was recognized for his support of Seneca Valley athletics.

CENTRAL CATHOLIC 73Tim Lackner 3 4-6 12, Dylan Layton 6 2-2 15, Mike Anselmo 2 0-0 6, Lincoln Davis 4 7-12 15, Will Burgess 7 2-6 16, Bryan Ward 4 0-1 9, Andrew Fischer 0 0-0 0, Ryan Fish 0 0-0 0, Nolan Doyle 0 0-0 0, Christian Wasik 0 0-0 0, Steve Zappala 0 0-0 0, Justin Ford 0 0-0 0, Eric Urda 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 26 15-27 73.

SENECA VALLEY 64Nate Herrmann 1 0-0 2, Joe Belechak 3 0-0 6, Marco Corona 2 3-3 7, Pete Vicente 1 2-2 5, Christian Durbin 8 10-10 29, Alex Maxfield 3 3-3 10, Matt Smith 2 0-0 5, Pat Kulp 0 0-0 0, Eric Davis 0 0-0 0, Evan Mitro 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 20 18-18 64.

Central Catholic 18 26 12 17—73Seneca Valley 13 14 19 18—643-point goals: Central Catholic 6 (Lackner 2, Anselmo 2, Ward, Layton); Seneca Valley 6 (Durbin 3, Smith, Vicente, Maxfield).

Friday: Seneca Valley at North Hills