TIGERS BOW TO BULLDOGS

PORTAGEVILLE -- Portageville High's boys basketball team scored the game's first seven points and never trailed as the Bulldogs handed visiting Cape Girardeau Central a 64-56 defeat Tuesday night.

The Tigers fell to 7-10 while the Bulldogs improved to 9-6.

"We just didn't play well enough to win," said Central coach Brett Reutzel. "More than anything, I don't think we came out ready to play, in either the first quarter or the third quarter."

Donnie McClinton, despite feeling ill before the game, scored 19 points to lead the Tigers. Kelly Illers and Ross Conner both added 10 points.

Portageville got 15 points from Anthony Treadwell, 14 from Charlie Caldwell and 13 from Eric Williams.

Central went more than four minutes without a point to start the game as Portageville grabbed a 7-0 lead. It was 18-13 after one quarter.

The Tigers fell behind by eight points late in the second quarter before pulling to within 35-32 at halftime.

Portageville started the third period strong and quickly went ahead by 12 points. The Bulldogs led by 11 late in the quarter but Central scored the final six points to pull within 50-45.

Central got within four points early in the final period but could get no closer.

"We didn't play real strong and we didn't play real smart at times," said Reutzel.

Central's JV posted a 52-50 overtime victory.

The Tigers will return to action Friday night by hosting Poplar Bluff.