FORT WAYNE – The Warsaw boys basketball team simply dug itself too big a hole to get out of versus Homestead Friday night.

The host Spartans raced to a 25-6 first-quarter lead en route to topping the Tigers 75-62 in a non-conference contest.

Homestead, coming off a 79-60 loss at Merrillville, improves to 2-1 on the season. Warsaw drops its second straight game to fall to 1-2.

Homestead, which won 67-65 at Warsaw last year in a 23-3 campaign, led 30-17 after the opening period of play Friday night. The hosts led 43-33 at intermission before Warsaw cut the lead to 54-48 after the third period. Homestead then outscored the Tigers 21-14 in the final frame for the 13-point win.

Senior standout Jared Bloom tossed in a game-high 24 points to lead Warsaw. The guard hit 6-of-10 from 3-point range in the contest.

Senior Taylor Cone had 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds for the Tigers. Junior Jordan Stookey added 12 points and six assists.  John Swanson had six points, Rashaan Jackson three and Nate Pearl and Jason Ferguson two each for Warsaw.

Homestead connected on 29-of-57 field goals, including making 8-of-17 from beyond the arc. Warsaw finished 21-of-47 from the field, including an 8-of-16 effort on 3-pointers.

Nick Gamble scored 21 points to lead four players in double figures for the Spartans. Caleb Swanigan had 18 points and 18 rebounds for Homestead. Joe Ault netted 15 points and Trevor Osborn added 11.

Homestead, which received votes in this week’s Class 4-A poll,  opened its season with a 48-42 win over Huntington North, who Warsaw will play Saturday night in Huntington.

The Tigers have lost to Columbia City and Homestead after opening with a home win over Tippecanoe Valley.

Homestead won the junior varsity contest 42-33 Friday night. Nick Sands led Warsaw with a game-high 16 points. Cameron Hoskins had six for the JV Tigers. Lucas Tapp and Grant Lehmann each scored seven in a balanced effort for Homestead.

Warsaw (1-2) plays at Huntington North Saturday night. Homestead (2-1) hosts Fort Wayne South Tuesday evening.