TIGERS' BIG SECOND HALF GROUNDS EAGLES 63-47

Cape Central used a relentless second-half onslaught to avenge an early season loss to New Madrid County Central Friday, defeating the Eagles 63-47.

Cape Central (11-3) trailed 31-24 at halftime, but outscored New Madrid 39-16 over the final 16 minutes.

Lavelle Lewis scored 12 of his team-high 17 points in the second half to spark the comeback. Brian Hodges tallied 10 of his 16 points in the second half while Nathan Owen netted 14 for the game.

Chris Bergerson tallied eight of his 10 points in the third quarter when Central quickly assaulted the seven-point Eagle lead.

Central, which never held a lead in the first half, opened the third quarter with a 13-0 run to take a 37-31 advantage.

The Tigers took a 43-38 lead into the fourth quarter and then opened the period a 12-0 run. A Lewis fastbreak layin with 3:45 left in the game gave Central a 55-38 lead.

Ed Farr led New Madrid (8-5) with 19 points, but the Tigers held him scoreless in the second half.

"We talked about helping out and getting back on defense," said Cape Central Brett Reutzel. "I thought that helped out a lot and we changed our press. They just played a lot harder and smarter on offense in the second half."