PIRATES TRIUMPH IN PERRYVILLE BATTLE, TOP INDIANS 59-47

PERRYVILLE -- Perryville continued its successful march through the 1996-97 schedule with a 59-47 victory over cross-town rival St. Vincent Friday night.

Perryville, 21-1 and ranked No. 3 in Missouri Class 3A, built an eight-point lead in the opening period and protected the margin into the fourth period, where it pulled away.

Matt Meyr scored 17 points for Perryville while Paul Weinkein added 13.

Jonathan Wengert matched Meyr's total for St. Vincent and Jason Cissell finished with 10 points.

"We played hard and I thought we did a lot of things well, but they're just so big," said St. Vincent coach Bruce Valleroy.

Perryville features at least three players at 6-foot-6 while St. Vincent tops out at 6-3.

The Pirates built a 19-11 in the first quarter and led 31-23 at halftime. They also held an eight-point lead, 38-30, entering the fourth quarter.

St. Vincent will return to action tonight when it plays Marquand at 8 p.m. in the championship game of the Meadow Heights Tournament.

Advance 75, Dexter 65

ADVANCE -- Gary Ahern came off the bench to score a team-high 15 points to lead Advance past Dexter Friday.

Advance (12-7) held a slim 34-32 lead at the start of the second quarter and proceeded to outscore Dexter 22-12 in the third period for a 56-44 advantage.

"I thought we came out in the third quarter and played extremely well," said Advance coach Derek Urhahm.

Four other Advance players were in double figures: Matt DeJournett 14, Shaun Bennett 12, Chance White 12 and Brock Cato 11.

Adam Lambert scored a game-high 18 points for Dexter and Derek Driskell added 17 points, but no other Bearcat finished in double figures.

Woodland will visit Advance on Tuesday.

Scott City 75, East Prairie 40

EAST PRAIRIE -- Dustin Cauble tossed in 28 points for Scott City as the Rams rolled over East Prairie Friday.

Chris Sisk netted 12 for Scott City (18-3), which also received 10 points apiece from David Inman and Jon Beck.

The Rams opened an 18-4 advantage in the first quarter and spread the lead in each ensuing period. Scott City led 35-16 at intermission.

Gary Dorris led East Prairie with 12 points.

Scott City's JV team won 90-33 to improve to 13-6.

Scott City will host Kelly on Tuesday.

Oran 72, Bell City 66

ORAN -- Sophomore Dustin Dannemueller connected on five 3-point shots and finished with a game-high 20 points as Oran defeated Bell City.

Jared Hamm added 12 points and Justin McAlister contributed 10 for Oran (4-11).

Justin Stephens netted 17 points for Bell City, while Jacob Jenkins and Matt Knoderer each tallied 13 and Nate Wills finished with 12.

Oran took a 36-29 lead into the second half. Bell City held a 38-36 scoring advantage in the second half but couldn't overcome the seven-point deficit.

Richland visits Oran on Tuesday.