SCOTT CITY BOYS WIN SCOTT-MISS. TOURNEY OPENER

DELTA -- Scott City's boys basketball team played out its role as the top seed in the Scott-Mississippi Conference Tournament Monday night, thumping No. 8 seed East Prairie 77-37 in opening-round action.

The Rams improved to 15-1 on the season and advanced to Thursday night's semifinals where they'll play the winner of tonight's game between No. 4 Scott County Central and No. 5 Oran.

In another first-round game tonight, No. 3 Kelly will meet No. 6 Oak Ridge at 8:30. Opening-round games conclude on Wednesday when No. 2 Delta plays No. 7 Chaffee.

Against East Prairie, Scott City outscored the Eagles 22-9 in the first quarter and held a comfortable 36-15 lead at halftime. Dustin Cauble paced the Rams with 20 points. Chris Sisk added 14 points and Tim Lowery netted 10.

Girls Basketball

Kelly 53, Scott City 49

BENTON -- For Kelly, the fourth time was the charm.

After three losses this season to Scott City, Kelly overcame a big game by Sara Emerson and finally got a win over the Lady Rams at home Monday to improve to 9-5.

Kelly had just lost to Scott City (9-3) Saturday in the finals of the Scott-Mississippi County Conference 47-31.

"Our first two games against Scott City were close," said Kelly coach Clay Vangilder. "This time we took care of the lead when we got it and we played harder."

Ahead by only one point with 12 seconds left, Kelly's Heather Scott hit two free throws. Scott hit another free throw with eight-tenths of a second left.

Pam Essner and Jennifer McNeill paced Kelly with 18 points apiece.

"We didn't shut down their guards," said Scott City coach Randall White.

Scott City's Sara Emerson had 29 points, 10 rebounds and five steals. Tara Sanford had 12 points.

"Sara is one of the best kids in the state," said White.

Woodland 51, Oran 22

MARBLE HILL -- In the past five seasons combined, Woodland won only six games.

Opponents don't take the Lady Cardinals quite so lightly this season.

With their win over Oran at home on Monday, the Lady Cardinals won their fourth game of the season to improve to 4-4. Woodland won only three games all of last season.

Nikki Anderson led Woodland with 14 points.

St. Vincent 47, Grandview 41

PERRYVILLE -- St. Vincent improved to 4-10 with its win at home over Grandview Monday.

The Squaws trailed 39-35 entering the fourth quarter before outscoring Grandview 12-2 in the final period.

Becky Lorenz had 15 points for St. Vincent and Debbie Welker added 10.

Sikeston 46, Chaffee 39

SIKESTON -- Sikeston used its size advantage to win the battle of the boards and also won the game in the process.

Renee Vandeven and Stevie Burks scored 10 points apiece for Chaffee, which fell to 5-6.

The Lady Red Devils played without their tallest player, Kate Nolen, who injured an ankle in practice.

"She's our only tall girl and when we lose her we're in trouble," said Chaffee coach Brian Horrell. "But the girls we had in there played hard and did a tremendous job."

Sikeston led 24-21 at halftime and took a 34-31 lead into the fourth quarter before it pulled away.

Poplar Bluff 62, Charleston 46

CHARLESTON -- Charleston led visiting Poplar Bluff 14-10 after one quarter, but the Lady Mules proved too strong down the stretch.

Charleston fell to 7-6.

Poplar Bluff's Holly Teague led all scorers with 25 points. For Charleston, Talisha Haynes had 11 points and Stacy Galmore added 10.

Perryville 78, Crystal City 20

PERRYVILLE -- Perryville led 28-6 after the first quarter and cruised to a win at home on Monday.

Perryville improved to 10-4.

Dena Schumer and Amy Verseman both had 16 points for Perryville and Renee Kaempfe added 15.

College basketball

Shawnee C.C. falls

ULLIN, Ill. -- Shawnee Community College lost 94-70 to Illinois Central at home Monday.

Shawnee fell to 3-14.

Shawnee's Jason Long, from Bernie, had 15 points.