TIGERS SUFFER 81-62 LOSS TO FARMINGTON

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Four Farmington players finished in double figures as the Knights defeated Cape Girardeau Central 81-62 in boys basketball action Thursday night.

Andrew Krueger and Michael Cox led Cape Central (1-4) with 11 points apiece.

Ben Durbin scored a game-high 20 points for Farmington while Ronnie Lashley added 14.

Farmington built a 23-14 lead by the close of the first quarter and upped its advantage in each period. The Knights led 42-29 at halftime and took a 62-45 lead into the fourth quarter.

"We're getting better," said Cape Central coach Brett Reutzel. "We're just trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. The physical effort is outstanding, it's just some breakdowns we're having. Most of them are mental. Once we get them taken care of I think we'll be a good basketball team."

Cape Central returns to action on Wednesday when it faces Leopold in the first round of the University High Christmas Tournament.

Kennett 60, Jackson 57

JACKSON, Mo. -- Dustin Pritchett scored 20 points and Noll Billings tallied 19 as Kennett slipped past Jackson.

Seth McDowell finished with 17 points for Jackson (3-3) while Brad Hilbert had 13 and Nathan Brown added 10.

After battling to a 30-30 halftime tie, Kennett nudged ahead 43-42 by the start of the fourth quarter. The final eight minutes were as tight as the preceding three quarters. Jackson trailed 58-55 with five seconds left in the game when the Indians' Matt Gordon scored and was fouled. Gordon missed the free throw and Jackson fouled on the rebound.

Jackson was outscored 24-12 at the free-throw line.

"It was a tight called ballgame and we didn't respond well to the adjustments we needed to make," said Jackson coach Mike Kiehne. " Kennett played a good, strong ballgame. We just didn't execute at times and they had a lot to do with that."

Perryville 47, Ste. Genevieve 37

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- Despite struggling offensively due in large part to nearly a three-week layoff because of the weather, Perryville was able to pick up its second victory of the season.

Thomas Barber and Andrew Meyr each scored eight points to pace the Pirates (2-3), who led 30-19 at halftime.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Kelly 55, Malden 36

BROSELEY, Mo. -- In a game from Wednesday night, third-seeded Kelly remained undefeated and rolled into the championship game of the Twin Rivers Christmas Classic by handing seventh-seeded Malden its first loss of the season.

The Lady Hawks (10-0) were led in scoring by Marissa Essner with 28 points. Bridgett Riley scored eight of her 10 points in the first quarter as Kelly jumped out to an 18-8 lead. Malden fell to 7-1.

Kelly will face top-seeded Doniphan at 8 tonight in the championship game.

St. Vincent JV Tournament

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Shana Wadlington scored 15 points as Scott City beat St. Pius 33-29 in the semifinals.

Scott City will play Kelly at 8 o'clock tonight for the championship.