NEW MADRID -- An ill-timed scoring drought blew away any hopes of an upset bid by New Madrid County Central in a 60-43 SEMO Conference loss to Caruthersville on Friday.
NMCC (2-10, 1-1 in the conference) battled back from an 11-point halftime deficit to pull within four at 36-32 late in the third quarter.
Leading the comeback effort, Laterrance Newsom scored five points including a 3-pointer and point guard Malcolm Long penetrated for two baskets.
"I thought we had something going there and it was going to be a nailbiter," said NMCC coach Scott Kruse.
But, it wasn't to be, as Caruthersville responded quickly with a 13-0 run to push the margin to 17, following an animated speech from coach Brian Brandtner during a timeout. "We weren't getting up and down the court," said Brandtner, "so we tried to do a little bit more of that."
Paul Sanders ignited the Tiger run with a layup off his steal. Then a Kyle Hubbard field goal preceded a seven-point spurt by Plessie Ellitt which included a tip-in, a conventional three-point play and a layup off a break. Kenny Hamilton's basket finished the run and, for all practical purposes, the Eagles.
Kruse and the Eagles had few answers for the Tigers' transition game.
"Their transition is a weapon," said Kruse. "I think we did a decent job about half the night, but that isn't enough."
Shooting woes prevented the Eagles from pulling closer early on. While misfiring on several open looks, the Eagles trailed 18-11 after the first quarter, then 30-19 at the half.
Caruthersville (9-1, 5-0) won its seventh straight with, basically, a team of clones -- quick, strong athletes in the 6-foot to 6-2 range.
"We run about five of the same guys out there," said Brandtner. "We don't have a true post player or a true point guard. It's point guard by committee, but if everybody plays together and stays on the same page, I think we'll be tough to beat."
Meanwhile, New Madrid just strives to improve.
"We're just trying to eliminate mistakes and we'll keep working at it," said Kruse. "These kids work hard and they don't quit. I'm going to ask for that the rest of the season and we're going to try to knock someone off."
Joseph Howell, a 6-0 senior jumping jack, topped the Eagles' scoring with 16 points. Newsom added nine.
Caruthersville, led by Hubbard's 16, had two others in double figures. Ellitt tallied 15 and Kendrickus Reed 13.
Caruthersville also won the junior varsity contest, 51-40.
NMCC visits Charleston on Tuesday, while Caruthersville was scheduled to meet Dexter at Three Rivers on Saturday.