Tigers pull away in second half, defeat Braves

Seventh-seeded Scott County Central gave No. 2 Cape Girardeau Central a scare for three quarters Saturday night, but the Tigers pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat the Braves 84-69 in the quarterfinals of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

"We definitely got a reality check in the first few minutes," Central senior Ryan Delph said. "We underestimated them."

Delph scored 20 points, but the Tigers (8-2) were led by junior Scott Chestnutt with 24 points and 15 rebounds.

The Braves (6-5) were led by senior Chris Pullen, who had 21 points. Pullen had a triple-double in Friday night's first-round game against Kelly with 33 points, 11 blocks and 11 rebounds.

Scott County trailed Central most of the first half, but not by much. The Braves tied the game with 1:36 left in the first half and trailed only 33-31 at halftime.

Central went on a 7-0 run late in the third quarter to extend its lead to 55-46 after three quarters.

Pullen, who was in foul trouble most of the game, fouled out early in the fourth quarter. Central immediately capitalized.

"We got re-committed to our game plan, which was to be patient and get the ball inside," Tigers coach Derek McCord said. "We wanted to just change up the tempo a little bit."

Chestnutt scored nine points in the final quarter and helped Central go on a 9-0 run to balloon the lead to 16.

"When Chris fouled out, they spread the court and we were forced to go into our man-to-man defense and they have more speed and quickness. It was definitely an advantage for them," Braves coach Melvin Porter said.

Central made several hustle plays in the fourth quarter when it appeared the Braves were fatigued. The Tigers outrebounded the Braves 40-26 in the game.

"Our big men, outside of Chris, didn't step up and do the kind of things they had to do to win against a good team," Porter said.

Avis White and Isaac Porter finished with 12 points apiece for the Braves. Eli Harris added with 12 points and five assists for the Tigers.

Central advances to Monday's semifinal to face Scott City, which will pit Central's coach Derek McCord against his former school for the first time ever. McCord compiled a record of 272-51 in 10 years as head coach at Scott City.

Scott County 14 17 15 23 -- 69

Central 17 16 22 29 -- 84

Scott Co. (69) -- Chris Pullen 21, Avis White 12, Jeremy Johnson 9, Chris Monroe 8, Isaac Porter 12, Andrew Pullen 4, Ray Rodgers 3. FG 28, FT 10-15, F 18 (3-pointers: Rodgers 1. Fouled out: C. Pullen)

Central (82) -- Ryan Delph 20, Scott Chestnutt 24, Eli Harris 12, Todd Obergoenner 2, Jake Knepp 9, Will Johnson 9, Alex Espinoza 2, Larenzo Braxton 4. FG 28, FT 16-21, F 15 (3-pointers: Delph 1, Johnson 1, Harris 1. Fouled out: none)