LEROY — The Lyle-Pacelli boys basketball team continues to make big strides on the court as it shook off a first half deficit and beat LeRoy-Ostrander 64-51 on the road Thursday.

The Cardinals (0-3 overall, 0-2 SEC) led 25-18 and they had the ball right before halftime when LP forced a turnover and Trinity Anderson knocked down a three-pointer to beat the halftime buzzer. Anderson started the second half with a three-pointer to bring his team within 25-24 and LP (2-2 overall, 2-2 SEC) eventually went up 30-25 after Jed Nelson scored on a cut to the hoop.

LO was never able to tie or take the lead again the rest of the way.

“We played really well in the second half and we shared the ball,” LP head coach Scott Koenigs said. “In the first half we had guys driving to the basket and we weren’t finishing because [LO] had guys sagging to the ball. We played really unselfish basketball [in the second half] and we’ve made huge strides since our first game.”

LP built its lead to 44-33, but the Cardinals pulled to within 48-44 when Zach Hanson hit a corner three-pointer with 5:50 left in the game. That’s when LP’s Brady Lester, who finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists, converted back-to-back lay-ups to put the Athletics back in control.

Lester said LP is already exceeding what some people thought it could do this season after the team graduated four of its top scorers.

“I don’t think that a lot of people thought we would be this good. We keep clicking in practice and we’ve had a strong bond together,” Lester said. “Kamis [Kuku] has been doing really well and he’s been getting people open. They help and he dishes.”

Kuku had five points, nine rebounds and four assists in the win for LP. He said that the Athletics are picking up stride every single day in practice.

“In the first game we had all kinds of jitters and a lot of turnovers that were unnecessary. We’ve worked on making the extra pass to find the wide open guy,” Kuku said. “I like being a leader as a point guard, but I think Brady has really stepped up and he makes sure that we go 100 percent in practice and during the games.”

Koenigs likes how his players have stepped up as leaders this season. Eighth grader Jed Nelson had 16 points, four rebounds and three blocks Thursday and senior Nathan Drees had seven points and seven rebounds.

“Brady Lester’s really been a leader for these young guys and he’s really taken control,” Koenigs said. “We’re getting really great performances from Nathan Drees and Kamis Kuku. Those seniors have really stepped up this year and Jed is not playing like an eighth grader. He’s really played well.”

Trey Hungerholt had 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the loss for the Cardinals and Hanson had 17 points and six rebounds. LO head coach Trevor Carrier said his team needs to find more fight with the game on the line.

“At some point, the boys have to want it more than the other boys,” Carrier said. “That three before the half really hurt us.”

LP 21  43  —  64

LO 25  26  —  51

LP scoring: Brady Lester, 19; Trinity Anderson, 18; Jed Nelson, 16; Nathan Drees, 7; Kamis Kuku, 5; Joseph Maas, 2; free throws: 69 percent (9-for-13); rebounds: 33 (Kuku, 9); turnovers: 14

LO scoring: Trey Hungerholt, 17; Zach Hanson, 17; Seth Royston, 12; Riley Olson, 3; Kolton Arndorfer, 2; free throws: 63 percent (10-for-16); rebounds: 30 (Hungerholt, 10); turnovers: 17