For the Catasauqua boys’ basketball team these days, it is all about fundamentals.

The Rough Riders dropped a 43-31 decision to Northwestern Monday night to lower their record to 1-6 overall. Through seven games, the Roughies have averaged 34.8 points per game, and they have allowed 60.8.

Their top offense output was 51 in a 72-52 loss to Notre Dame East Stroudsburg (NDES), and their most allowed was 72 (72-51 vs NDES) and they 70-plus on two other occasions (71-39 vs. Panther Valley and 970-32 vs. Fleetwood).

“We played very well for what we have,” said head coach Eric Snyder about his squad’s performance Monday night. “We just can’t score.

“We have too many unforced turnovers, too many missed catches, too many missed easy shots. We can’t make a three-pointer, and our foul shooting is average at best. It is just a matter of us being able to score consistently.”

Snyder did laud the effort of his team.

“It never has been a question of effort,” he noted. “They work very hard and have a good chemistry. We just have to get better fundamentally.”

Snyder praised the play of sophomore forward/center Jeremiah Cofie, who has established himself down low.

“He has been improving every game,” said Snyder. “He has been rebounding and blocking shots. Jeremiah has the potential to be a consistent scorer for us.”

The veteran coach also cited the play of senior forward/center Joe Fischl, freshman guard Hamaad Jenkins, and junior forward Ian Juica.

“Joe Fischl gives us everything he has got in every game,” said Snyder. “Hamaad gets better every game. He is very physical and aggressive and a tough kid.

“Juica has given us a big lift off the bench, and he could be in the starting lineup soon.”

Snyder anticipates the team will get a boost with the return to freshman guard Frankie Pujols, who is scheduled to return from an injury in early January.

“When Frankie comes back, it will get better,” said Snyder. “He can easily average 15 points a game for us. Frankie should be back in early January.”

The Roughies had a game at Palmerton Wednesday. They will return to the hardwoods to host Lehighton Jan. 3.

Snyder will look to his regularly contributing seniors Fischl, Bryann Rivera, Irving Torres, and Cedric Bright to help set the space for the second half.

“We’ll have some time to work on things over the Christmas/New Year’s break,” added Snyder. “We just need to do the basic things better.”