Click the thumbnails to see photos and videos, and to listen to post-game comments from Player of the Game Nick Matthews.

GLADSTONE---The Gladstone High School boys basketball team shook off a sluggish first half and beat the Westwood Patriots, 63-50, Tuesday night in Gladstone.

The Braves struggled on offense in the first half, and trailed the Patriots, 27-21, at halftime. But Gladstone caught fire in the second half, both offensively and defensively, outscoring Westwood, 42-23, to even their season record at 4-4.

The 23-10 third quarter run for Gladstone started with triples by Elliot Vitito and Luke Bracket, and in the paint, the Braves got a pair of old-fashioned three point plays.

Westwood was able to close to within five points in the fourth quarter despite having Edward Anderson foul out early in the quarter.

But the Braves pulled away again with Drake Johnson scoring three baskets, Vitito hitting his fourth triple of the game, and Nick Matthews driving inside for two of his 15 points.

Vitito led the Braves with 16 points, and he made all four of his three-point attempts. Matthews followed with those 15 points, and Kaden Gibbs chipped in with 14 points. Matthews scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half.

Johnson contributed nine points as the Braves won back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Westwood fell to 6-4 with the loss. The Patriots got 19 points from Andrew Niemi (nine of those in the second quarter that gave his team the halftime lead), and Jerze Karki added eleven points. Westwood's next game is at home next Tuesday against Escanaba.

Gladstone improved to 4-4 on the season. The Braves will host the Kingsford Flivvers (6-1) in a Great Northern Conference game Thursday night. The game will be broadcast live on FM-93.5, AM-600, and www.rrnsports.com.