Junction City played spoiler on Manhattan High boys’ basketball senior night, defeating the Indians 73-54 in their final regular-season home game Friday night.

Manhattan fell to 13-7 overall and 5-3 in Centennial League play, while the Bluejays improved to 11-9 and 3-5.

Junction City was led by the dynamic duo of Brody Beckman and Lovell Autry, who scored 31 and 25 points, respectively.

Manhattan honored seniors Will Carpenter, Sawyer Newton, Tim Washington and Vince Doering prior to tipoff. Carpenter led the Indians with 15 points, Newton added 11, Doering finished with eight and Washington scored four.

How it happened

Junction City set the tone early behind Beckman, who poured in 11 first-quarter points to help the Bluejays build a 19-12 lead after one.

Manhattan chipped away early in the second quarter, but Beckman’s hot shooting extended Junction City’s lead to double digits at 29-17. He finished the first half with 17 points.

Just before the break, however, the Indians found life.

Manhattan closed the half on a 10-0 run, fueled by Carpenter’s 12 first-half points. Energized by a lively home crowd, the Indians entered halftime trailing just 29-27 with momentum firmly on their side.

Out of the locker room, Autry took over. The senior — who surpassed 1,000 career points during the game — scored nine points in the opening four minutes of the third quarter. Junction City won the frame, but Manhattan again generated late momentum.

With one second left in the third, Carpenter launched a near 60-foot buzzer-beater off an inbounds play, drilling a line-drive heave to cut the deficit to 48-44 entering the fourth quarter.

The Bluejays responded decisively.

Junction City extended its lead to 16 midway through the final frame as Autry scored 19 second-half points, and the Indians could not recover. The Bluejays outscored Manhattan 25-10 in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Manhattan travels to Emporia on Tuesday before closing the regular season at Washburn Rural.

JUNCTION CITY 73,

MANHATTAN 54

JC (11-9, 3-5) — 19; 10; 19; 25; — 73

MHS (13-7, 5-3) — 12; 15; 17; 10; — 54

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

Manhattan — Carpenter 15, Doering 8, Sawyer Newton 11, Witt 4, Washington 4, Hattrup 2, Duff 6

Junction City — Thompson 6, Walker 5, Boeckman 31, Autry 25, Hollie 4, Lanier 2