Times Observer Photo by Cody Elms Sheffield’s Sam Lauffenburger pulls down a rebound in the fourth quarter in a 62-49 loss to visiting North Clarion on Monday night.

SHEFFIELD –A 12-4 first quarter and a struggling defense throughout the game kept the Wolverines from being able to claw their way back against North Clarion on Monday night, falling to the Wolves 62-49.

“I think offensively we got a lot of looks in the first quarter,” said Sheffield head coach Jordan Copley. “We were getting the looks we wanted, they just weren’t falling. I don’t think it was lack of execution on that end. Yet, again, I can’t stress enough, defense. We got to get better on defense. We can’t let people drive free to the basket, one on one.”

Sheffield’s season-long leading scorer Tyler Hepinger did not return to the court in the second half due to medical reasons, which put the emphasis on the other starters and players off the bench to carry the load. Down, 25-15, to start the third quarter. Sheffield then went on to drop 15 in the third and 19 in the fourth, but were not able to stop the Wolves’ fast-paced offense as North Clarion matched the Wolverines with 17 and 20.

“Anytime you put yourself in a deficit, it’s hard to dig yourself out of that hole,” Copley said. “We got to be better executing defensively, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on the opportunities they give us.”

Tony Richards, who had one bucket in the first half, put up 15 in the second half, including three from the perimeter, to lead the Wolverines with 17 on the night. Conner Johnson hit three from the field and went 3 of 3 at the line to put up a respectable 12.

“I have the same amount of confidence in both to be able to get to the basket. They’re both fantastic players and I have more than enough confidence in Tony,” Copley said.

North Clarion’s Josh Davin and Dylan Walters led the Wolves with 16 points apiece.

SHEFFIELD (49)

Albaugh 0 3-4 6, McNeal 3 0-0 6, T. Richards 3 2-2 17, Hepinger 1 0-0 2, Finch 2 0-0 4, Copley 1 0-0 2, Johnson 3 3-3 12, Silvis 0 0-0 0, Mott-Macalush 0 0-0 0, Lauffenburger 0 0-0 0, Hardwick 0 0-0 0, A. Richards 0 0-0 0, Totals 13 8-9 49.

NORTH CLARION (62)

Hartle 3 0-0 9, Byers 4 4-4 12, Davin 6 1-1 16, Schmader 1 2-2 7, Walters 5 3-3 16, Gilara 0 0-0 0, Carll 1 0-0 2, Swanson 0 0-0 0, Shaftie 0 0-0 0, Dailey 0 0-0 0, Totals 12 10-10, 62.

3-point goals — Sheffield, Richards (3), Albaugh; N. Clarion, Hartle, Davin, Schmader, Walters.

Sheffield 4 11 15 19 — 49

North Clarion 12 13 17 20 — 62