Tim Swanson looks to pass the ball versus Plymouth Thursday night. Swanson hit two free throws in the closing seconds to seal a 42-38 Warsaw win.

PLYMOUTH – Warsaw boys basketball coach Doug Ogle said he felt good that his team trailed Plymouth by just two points at halftime Thursday night.

Ogle felt even better when walking off the floor following a well-earned 42-38 win by his team.

The Tigers used a strong third-quarter performance and then clutch free throw shooting in the final frame to stay unbeaten in Northern Lakes Conference play.

Sophomore Kyle Mangas scored 13 points, while junior Paul Marandet and senior Jake Mangas each added eight as the Tigers improved to 16-3 overall.

Warsaw also improved to a perfect 6-0 in league play to clinch at least a share of the conference championship.

NorthWood rallied from a 13-point deficit in the final quarter Thursday night to beat Elkhart Memorial 62-60 on a 3-pointer by Braxton Linville as time expired to finish at 6-1 in NLC play.

The Tigers, who have won four in a row, can finished out the league slate undefeated with a win at home on Tuesday night in the conference finale versus Northridge.

Kyle Mangas readies to let fly with a jumper. The sophomore led the Tigers with 13 points.

“I’m proud of this team and this is our second championship (Warsaw also won its own holiday tournament back in December),” said Ogle. “They continue to be an enjoyable group to coach because of the unselfish nature of these guys. We hope to win the NLC by ourselves come Tuesday night.”

Tim Swanson, one of five seniors, was as cool as the other side of the pillow to seal the win. The guard hit a pair of free throws with just 4.2 seconds left for the 42-38 final.

“I was nervous, but I turned my brain off and shot,” said Swanson of his two free throws. “I shoot free throws with Jake (Mangas) and Kyle (Mangas) comes up to me before them and says this is just like you and Jake in the Tiger Den. That helped me. The NLC is extremely important to us. We talked about having three championship opportunities and now we have two of them.”

The Pilgrims, who drop to 12-6 overall and 3-3 in the NLC with their third straight loss, led 13-11 after the opening quarter. The hosts were up 25-19 late in the second period before two huge buckets by Marandet right before intermission cut the lead to 25-23.

“In the first half Plymouth could not have played much better,” noted Ogle. “They shot 9-12 from the field, including 4-6 on threes. We told our guys that they are only up two and they should be worried. It was critical to get that little push with those two baskets by Paul to end the half. That was big for our psyche.”

Paul Marandet runs the show for the Tigers Thursday night.

Warsaw outscored the Pilgrims 11-6 in the third period to take a 34-31 lead. Kyle Mangas scored six points in the pivotal frame.

The Tigers then held the ball to open the final period. Warsaw eventually got a pair of free throws by Jake Mangas out of the possession after taking 3:14 off the clock to make it 36-31. Plymouth then rallied to pull within 36-35 on a layup by Josh Anders with 1:09 to play.

The Pilgrims then got the ball back after a Warsaw miss, but turned it over with 46 seconds let. Kyle Mangas then made it 38-35 with two free throws with 27.9 seconds to play. Marandet then blocked a shot by Nick Felke. Kyle Mangas then hit two free throws to make it 40-35 with 14.2 seconds left. The Pilgrims cut it to 40-38 as Felke hit three free throws with 5.2 seconds to play after being fouled on a three-point attempt.

Warsaw finished 13-15 from the free throw line, including making all eight of their tosses in the final frame when they did not have a basket.

“It was grinder,” said Ogle. “We played better defense in the second half and hit free throws. Tim came off the bench cold there at the end and hit two big ones. Our execution  was good on offense tonight and we had 10 assists and just four turnovers.”

Junior Anders led Plymouth with a game-high 14 points. Senior Tyler England scored seven and sophomore Felke and senior Reis Yoder each had six.

Jake Mangas had eight points for the winning Tigers.

Senior Rashaan Jackson had five points and Swanson two for the Tigers.

Marandet also had five rebounds and three assists to go with his usual stellar defense for Warsaw.

The Tigers shot 13-27 overall from the field, including 3-8 on 3-pointers. The Pilgrims were 13-23, including 4-10 on threes, and 8-10 from the free throw line.

Plymouth won the junior varsity game 38-37. Braydon Davidson led the winners with 15 points. Jeremy David had 10 points and Rane Kilburn nine to pace the Tigers.

Warsaw hosts Northridge Tuesday night in a makeup game. Plymouth entertains Kouts Saturday afternoon.