Doubling their score, the Booneville Bearcats used a 25-point third quarter to subdue Danville in a consolation game of the 9th annual Bearcat Classic, 60-40.
It was 25-24 at the intermission. C.J. Johnson started the third quarter onslaught and after a basket by Colter Fisher, Johnson hit a 3 and Danville took a time out with the score 32-24.
Danville got a couple of free throws to momentarily slow the Bearcats and two more after a basket by Fisher but a 3 by Raiden Ferguson and a Macolen Tillery free throw had the lead to double figures at 38-28.
Two 3s later, both by Ferguson, had the lead to 44-28 and Tillery (shown) scored on an assist from Ferguson before the Little Johns got their first field goal of the second half.
Ferguson hit five 3s on the night and finished with 17 points.
Baskets by Fisher and Tillery pushed the score to 50-31.
Fisher finished with a game-high 20.
Tillery, who scored all seven of his points in the second half, scored 11 seconds into the final quarter to match the biggest lead of the night at 19 and Danville got no closer than 15 the rest of the way.
The Bearcats had scored the first seven points of the game – actually Fisher had – but Danville would use a 9-0 run to go in front 14-9.
Danville continued to lead until a Noah Harrel 3 made it 18-16 and, after a tie at 18, the Bearcats scored seven straight before Danville got within one by halftime.
The Bearcats will next play in the Battle on the Board tournament at 5:35 Tuesday in Arkoma, Okla., The Bearcats are the top seed and will play the winner of the Braggs-Mulberry game, which is set for Monday.
BEARCATS SCORE 25 IN THIRD TO PULL AWAY FROM DANVILLE
