NOTRE DAME SUBDUES SIKESTON IN OT 52-49

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Because of poor road conditions, most of Friday night's scheduled high school basketball games were postponed.

But Notre Dame was able to make the trip down I-55 to Sikestonand it was definitely worth the effort for the Cape Girardeau squad as it won the battle of Bulldogs 52-49 in overtime.

Notre Dame broke a two-game losing streak and improved to 3-2 while Sikeston fell to 3-5.

"I don't know how well it was played, but it was exciting," said Notre Dame coach Darrin Scott. "This is a big win for us and hopefully it will give the kids some confidence."

Doug Schaefer led a balanced Notre Dame offensive attack with 14 points. Cory Beussink added 12 points and Jonathan Ressel followed with 11.

Sikeston was led by Tony Jones with 17 points and Lontas McClinton with 12.

Notre Dame got off to a slow start as Sikeston scored the game's first seven points and led 24-16 at halftime. But Notre Dame chipped away and finally tied things at 45-45 with 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter on a layup by Ressel.

The teams went to overtime knotted at 45-all and Notre Dame took the lead for good on a basket by Beussink. Mark Rubel hit three of four free throws in the extra session to help Notre Dame hold on.

"We played a pretty bad first half, with a lot of mistakes, but I thought we showed a lot of character in coming back and not getting down," Scott said.

Bell City 77, Bernie 58

BELL CITY, Mo. -- Sophomore Eric Henry continued his recent strong play with 27 points as Bell City improved to 4-3. Henry has scored 51 points in the last two games.

"Eric has really played well the last couple of games," said Bell City coach David Heeb.

Jason Rampley hit five 3-pointers and added 18 points for the Cubs, who also got 12 points from both Gabe Scherer and Luke Phillips.

Bernie, which trailed 40-22 at halftime, lost despite hitting 11 3-pointers. The Cubs finished with seven 3-pointers.