VAN BUREN — After coming back twice from a double digit deficit, it was not enough as visiting Elmwood lost its Division III boys basketball tournament opener to Van Buren, 58-54, Tuesday.

The Tigers opened a 19-6 lead, but the Royals bounced back to close the gap to four, 26-22, at halftime.

In the second half, Van Buren pulled ahead again, this time 46-33, but the Royals came charging back in the fourth, outscoring the Tigers, 19-12.

Kade Lentz, Elmwood’s all-time leading career scorer, put up 17 points along with six rebounds and three assists, but the Royals’ season ends at 6-17.

Lentz hit three shots from beyond the arc and Owen Traxler also hit three triples in scoring 16 points.

Evan Barringer scored eight, Landry Seedorf scored five, Zach Gross scored four, and Micah Oliver and Owen Seedorf added two points apiece for the Royals.

Van Buren (10-13) got 18 points from Cole Bishop, Seth Gregory scored 16, James Homan scored 11, Parker Beilharz scored eight, and Lucas Harrington scored five points.

It is the second time Elmwood fell to Van Buren this season, losing 36-33 in overtime in a Blanchard Valley Conference game on February 9.