Dexter shoots down Caruthersville

Teams combine for 20 three-pointers

POPLAR BLUFF -- While the NBA All-Star Game had its Long Distance Shootout Saturday night, the Dexter Bearcats and Caruthersville Tigers had their long distance shootout earlier in the day at Three Rivers Community College as the two teams combined for 20 three-pointers.

The Bearcats knocked down 12 three-pointers en route to a 93-68 win, moving their record to 21-3 on the season.

The action began at a furious pace with both teams shooting from long range as the Tigers' Chris Springer and Dexter's Matt Christian both hit three's in the opening minute.

However, the Bearcats' pressure defense forced several turnovers in the first quarter and hot shooting by Chad Gill and Matt Christian helped propel Dexter to a 30-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Led by their two top scorers, Springer and Bryant Rodgers, the Tigers were able to cut the Dexter lead to 35-32 in the second quarter but a late surge, helped by a technical foul on the Tiger bench, allowed the Bearcats to take a 50-36 halftime lead.

The second half proved to be much like the first as the Tigers never seemed comfortable with the Bearcat press, which caused 19 turnovers in the game. Each time Caruthersville made a run at Dexter, the Bearcats were able to answer with a run of their own.

Caruthersville attempted one more run to start the fourth quarter, engaging a press of their own but Gill and Kyle Christian both caught fire hitting two treys apiece and allowing the Bearcats to pull away with a 25-point win.

Dexter was led in scoring by Kyle Christian with 21 while Gill and Matt Christian scored 20 and 15 respectively.

Caruthersville (13-9) was led in scoring by Rodgers with 24 while Springer finished with 15. Freshman Plessie Ellitt scored 9.

Dexter will be in action again Tuesday night when they host the Doniphan Dons while Caruthersville will not be in action again until Feb. 18 when they travel to Charleston.