The boys basketball team fell, 33-31, against the 6-6 Walter Johnson Wildcats Jan. 20, lowering its record to 3-10.

In the opening minutes of the game, guard Liam Hatch dislocated his shoulder and didn’t return for the remainder of the match. Hatch has dislocated the same shoulder twice and spent the first seven games of the season on the sidelines because of his injured shoulder.

The Wildcats then took advantage of the Vikes’ poor offense, starting the game with a 9-3 run.

The Vikes’ offense seemed to improve when forward Anton Casey hit a baseline jumper to open up the second quarter, which was followed by a beautiful up-and-under by forward Daniel Lowet, bringing the Vikes within two. The Vikes won the second quarter, but still trailed 16-11 at half.

Guard Jake Harrison hit a three-pointer to open up the half. The Vikes caught a break when the Wildcats missed six consecutive free throws, but the Vikes stilled trailed 26-17 at the end of the third quarter.

Frequent trips to the free throw line allowed the Vikes to tie up the game in the fourth. Late in the quarter, guard Andrew Castagnetti hit a corner three to allow the Vikes to lead by three, their first lead of the game.

The Wildcats fought back, however, hitting a three of their own. With 4.7 seconds remaining in the game, the Wildcats hit a layup to put them ahead.

On the following inbounds pass, Casey turned the ball over, allowing the Wildcats to preserve the 33-31 victory.

The Vikes aim to recover when they host the 10-3 Churchill Bulldogs Jan. 24. The Vikes defeated the Bulldogs in a surprise upset in their first match-up of the season.

Disappointed by the Vikes’ poor offensive play against the Wildcats, Castagnetti said the Vikes need to improve their shot accuracy in order to take down the Bulldogs.

“We couldn’t make shots and make plays down the stretch,” Castagnetti said. “Churchill is a big rivalry and will be a big game so we need to make our shots and play good defense.”