CAMPBELL - After upsetting Bernie Thursday night, the Puxico Indians continued their impressive play, blowing out the hometown Campbell Camels 80-50 Friday, to hoist the Campbell Invitational Tournament championship trophy.
"Every game we get better and better, I keep telling the guys this is just the beginning," Puxico basketball coach Chad Allen said. "We just have to keep on working and keep on getting better."
The Indians started the night pounding the Camels with little results, going into the second quarter trailing 16-14.
Puxico rallied in the second outscoring Campbell 24-14 taking the lead going into the half 38-30.
Campbell's offense started to slip in the third, coughing up the ball frequently and helping Puxico extend its lead to 61-40 going into the fourth.
The Camels exhaustion was evident as they entered the fourth.
Campbell couldn't seem to muster up the energy for a resurgence, ending their championship dreams. The game ended with the Indians outscoring Campbell 29-4 to seal the victory and send Puxico fans in an uproar.
"We played them close to the half," Campbell coach Steve Fowler said. "They're really big and rebound the ball well. The second half, that was the difference."
Allen can really see his team start to gel as the season progresses.
"These guys are really starting to come together. Hopefully, we'll just keep on winning," Allen said with a grin.
The Indians will take their unbeaten season on the road as they head to Zalma Monday.
After a disappointing performance in the semi-finals, the Bernie Mules stepped up and delivered Friday night against the Risco Tigers to take third place in the Campbell Invitational Tournament by the score 71-53.
"The second half we played well," Bernie coach Morris Karnes said. "The first half we made a few baskets that kind of relieved some pressure for some of our guys."
It all came down to the fourth quarter after both teams battled to tie at the half, and Bernie gaining just a two-point lead heading into the fourth.
That's when the Mules took over, outscoring the worn out Tigers 22-7 in the quarter.
"They kind of wore down," added Karnes. "It went from a four-point game to a 16-point game pretty quick."
Free Throws really helped Bernie distance themselves from Risco going 11-of-12 in the fourth quarter.
"After missing some free throws early that would have really helped us in the first half," Karnes continued, "we made free throws late that really pushed us over the brink."
Zach Dill led the Mules with 31 points on the night, followed by Britt Arnold with 18.
Bernie's next game will be a rematch with Risco at home on Friday Dec. 10.