Thanks in part to a big first half, the Straughn Tigers defeated the Red Level Tigers 58-42 in the third place game of the 18th annual Red Level Christmas Tournament.

Red Level got on the board first when Hunter Carpenter knocked down a long 2-pointer, but Javaris and Keaun Samuel took over for helped push Straughn out to a 20-8 lead at the end of the first period. Allen George knocked down a big 3-pointer fro Straughn in the opening period as well.

It was more of the same in the second period for Straughn, except in this period, six different Straughn players accounted for points to push them out front 38-14 at halftime.

Devon Dexter and Ontaryo Nearor got rolling in the third period for Red Level, but Straughn was still on top 46-29 heading into the final period.

Straughn pushed the lead up to 20 after George and Keaun Samuel accounted for seven points to open the fourth period, but Red Level came roaring back and cut the Straughn lead down to 12. That, however, was close as they would come.

George led Straughn with 14 points in the victory. Javaris Samuel finished with 12 points and Keaun Samuel had 11 points.

Red Level’s Dexter led all scorers with 17 points.

“We played real well in the first half, but got a little sloppy there in the second.” Straughn head coach Rusty Andrews said. “I was pleased with the effort. We keep taking two steps forward and one step back, but as long as we are improving that is what I want to see.”