ELKHART – Defense continues to be the calling card for the undefeated Warsaw boys basketball team.

That, and arguably, the best backcourt in the area.

The Tigers rode the aforementioned dynamite defensive work and the prolific play of perimeter stars Kyle Mangas and Paul Marandet to a convincing 54-39 victory at Concord Friday night.

The Class 4-A No. 7 Tigers matched the best start in program history in moving to 14-0 overall on the season.

Warsaw, which matched the start of the 1989-90 team, also improved to a perfect 4-0 in Northern Lakes Conference play with the league win. That 1989-90 Warsaw team was 14-0 and ranked No. 1 before a 98-67 loss at Concord. The Minutemen, led by star Jamar Johnson, went on to finish as state runner-up in 1990, losing 63-60 to Damon Bailey’s Bedford North Lawrence team in the state championship game.

The Warsaw win sets the stage for the conference clash of the season next Friday night as the Tigers travel to Nappanee to face Class 3-A No. 3 NorthWood. The Panthers moved to 13-1 overall and 4-0 in the NLC by topping Goshen 69-55  Friday night in conference play. NorthWood has won 10 in a row since a 49-48 loss to Fishers back on Dec. 5.

The “M and M” connection was as smooth as chocolate for the Tigers once again.

Junior Mangas scored 23 points and senior Marandet added 14 as the Tigers rolled at McCuen Gym. Warsaw also held the hosts to a 13-33 shooting effort, including a 6-18 mark from 3-point range. Concord was also a woeful 7-14 from the free throw line in the loss.

Junior Denzel Halliburton scored 11 points to pace Concord, which lost for the sixth straight time. The Minutemen drop to 4-10 overall and 1-3 in the NLC.

Warsaw had dropped five its last seven to Concord, including a gut-wrenching 32-28 upset loss to the Minutemen in the sectional to end last season.

There was to be no upset on this night.

The Tigers trailed only once at 10-8 in the opening period and from there controlled the contest.

“This was one of our better games,” said Warsaw coach Doug Ogle. “I thought that we were solid tonight. I told our guys before the game that I would like this game not to be stressful at the end and we were able to do that.

“I’ve been saying since last summer that we could be an elite defensive team and I think that we are. We defended well again tonight. All of our guys can guard on the ball and we were able to muck things up in the lane and make it difficult for them to score. I think that we are third or fourth in the state in scoring average allowed.

“I like how both Kyle and Paul played tonight. Those two were both big time for us. And I thought that our interior passing was good. When we complete passes inside something good is going to happen for us and we did that tonight and Braxton (Minix) got us four buckets in the first half.”

The Tigers led 14-10 after the opening period and stretched their lead to 26-15 by halftime. Mangas and Marandet each scored nine points and Braxton Minix added a key eight for the Tigers. Concord made just two shots in the second quarter and had 10 first-half turnovers.

Warsaw quickly put the game away in the third stanza. Mangas scored 10 points in the frame as the Tigers extended their lead to 41-25.

Concord, which has no seniors this season, shot just 7-21 from the field in the final half.

The 39 points allowed by the Tigers was just at their season defensive average entering play Friday night. Nine of Warsaw’s 14 opponents this year have scored 40 or fewer points.

Marandet left the game with 3:30 to play after injuring his hand on a hard fall to the court after being called for a charging foul.

“I’m concerned about Paul’s hand, but I think that it’s just a bruise and that he will be okay,” noted Ogle.

Marandet finished 6-10 from the field and also had six rebounds to go with five assists and four steals. The Warsaw do-it-all standout, who bounced back from a tough night on Tuesday in a home overtime win over Mishawaka Marian, was all smiles following the win.

“I just came out tonight with the mindset to play my game and be fearless,” said Marandet. “I was pretty disappointed in my play Tuesday night. To be 14-0 is unreal. What more could you ask for in your senior year.

“Defense wins championships and we spend a lot of time working on our defense.”

Minix finished with eight points for the Tigers. Sam Miller scored three points and Riley Rhoades, Jeremy David and Ross Johnson each added two. David grabbed six rebounds.

Warsaw finished 19-44 from the field and 14-17 at the free throw line. The Tigers also had a huge 35-16 rebounding advantage.

Junior Cedric Mitchell scored nine points and junior Brandon Emerick finished with six for the Minutemen.

Warsaw won the junior varsity game 45-36. Asher Blum led the Tigers with 15 points. Jack Rhoades and Zach Riley each had eight points and Kyle Skeins seven for the winners. Caleb Smith, Michael Jackson and Michael Johnson each had eight points to lead Concord.

Warsaw plays at Fort Wayne Northrop (6-8) Saturday night. Concord plays at Wawasee next Friday night.