ALLEGANY, N.Y. — It’s the type of matchup Warren head coach Jeff Berdine wanted to see on the December schedule; only the result might have been different had the Dragons not fallen behind by double digits in the first quarter.

In the end, Warren’s boys basketball team fell just short, 54-53, to Salamanca on Thursday at the Joe DeCerbo Holiday Basketball Showcase at Allegany-Limestone High School.

“We got off to a slow start and used up a lot of energy to get back in the game in the first half,” said Berdine. “Give them credit as they knocked down a lot of shots in the first quarter as well. (Andy Herrick) and (Lucus Brown) were as good as advertised.”

Brown, a 6-foot junior guard, scored 8 points in Salamanca’s 20-6 first quarter. He finished with a game-high 24 points — 16 in the first half — with five 3-pointers. Herrick, a 6-4 senior guard, added 16 points. Only two other players scored for the Warriors (5-1) — Jaxson Ross’ eight points and Tayoni Galante’s six.

Warren battled back, outscoring Salamanca 24-12 in the second quarter to cut the halftime deficit to two points. Parks Ordiway, Brady Berdine and Tommy Nyquist hit 3-pointers in the period.

Warren hung right with Salamanca in the second half, but just couldn’t get over the hump. A key swing came late in the fourth quarter when the Dragons had a chance to tie the score and take the lead. Warren’s Konnor Hoffman stole the ball and drained a bucket off of a drive to the hoop, but was called for a charge.

A half-court shot at the buzzer bounced off the backboard.

“That being said, we left a lot of plays out there with some unforced turnovers and didn’t handle some of the physical play very well at times,” said Coach Berdine.

Owen Becker led Warren (5-2) with 11 points. Brady Berdine scored 7 of his 10 points in the fourth quarter, Hoffman and Nyquist finished with 9 points each, and Ordiway added 8.

“This was a great December game because it’ll help us get ready for our region,” said Coach Berdine. “I’m expecting the same thing from Allegany-Limestone tomorrow.”

In a non-tournament format for the first time since the holiday event started in 1975, Warren’s predetermined opponent will be host Allegany-Limestone at 6 p.m. today.

WARREN (53)

Ordiway 3 1 8, Sitler 0 0 0, Berdine 3 3 10, Darling 0 0 0, Nyquist 3 2 9, Errett 1 0 2, Becker 5 1 11, Barnes 2 0 4, Hoffman 3 1 9. Totals 20 8 53.

SALAMANCA (54)

JHerrick 0 0 0, Ross 2 3 8, Hoag 0 0 0, Isaac 0 0 0, ABrown 0 0 0, Galante 2 2 6, LBrown 9 1 24, Holleran 0 0 0, AHerrick 5 5 16. Totals 18 11 54.

3-pointers: Ordiway, Berdine, Nyquist, Hoffman 2, Ross, LBrown 5, AHerrick.

Warren 6 24 9 14 — 53

Salamanca 20 12 12 10 — 54