The McKenzie basketball programs each had an up-and-down week with the varsity dropping games at Kinston and to Luverne, the girls splitting games with Kinston and Luverne and the junior varsity dropping both games at Kinston and to Luverne.

Varsity

Kinston 66, McKenzie 59 (OT)

Tim Moorer's McKenzie Tigers varsity basketball team fought to end Nov. 17, but came up just short in overtime as the Kinston Bulldogs rolled to victory, 66-59.

Although the Tigers opened up a four-point halftime lead, the Bulldogs came back to take a two-point lead into the final period and ended regulation tied at 55-55.

The Bulldog defense held the Tigers just four points in the overtime win.

For McKenzie, senior guard Brandon Kent and freshman center Jarvis Womack led the Tigers with 15 points apiece while freshman guard Calvin Henderson finished with 10 points.

Luverne 65, McKenzie 32

In Tuesday night's game against Luverne in McKenzie, the home team struggled offensively with the visiting Tigers opening up a 43-11 halftime lead and cruising to victory, 65-32.

Romethius Harris was the leading scorer for Luverne with 16 points while Marco Jones and Stoney Jackson each finished with 10 points.

Brezman Lowery also had 7 points for Luverne.

For McKenzie, Jarvis Womack was the leading scorer with 11 points while junior Curtis Ball had eight points and junior Sattrick Rudolph had five.

Girls

McKenzie 33, Kinston 30

Cindy Lowe's McKenzie Tigers fought tooth and claw with the Kinston Bulldogs Nov. 17 and came out victorious, 33-30.

After opening up an 11-9 first period lead, the Tigers fell behind by five at the half, but were able to pull the game back to within one in the at the end of the third period before sealing the three-point win.

Junior Amber Rudolph was the leading scorer for the Tigers with 18 points. Junior Tia Bush also had eight points in the win.

Luverne 66, McKenzie 45

The Luverne Tigers opened up a three-point halftime lead before exploding offensively in the second half. Luverne outscored McKenzie 39-21 in the second half to cruise to a 66-45 victory.

Amber Rudolph led McKenzie with 22 points while Aleshia Stuckey finished with 12 points.

Tia Bush also had five points for McKenzie.

For Luverne, Shericka Brantley had a team-high 24 points while Jaleesa Franklin had 11 points.

JV

Kinston 56, McKenzie 36

Although the McKenzie junior varsity basketball team trailed by only six points at the half Nov. 17 against Kinston, the Bulldogs outscored the Tigers 30-16 in the second half to take the 56-36 win.

Armond Ball was the Tigers' leading scorer with 10 points while Juan Smith finished with nine points. Emmanuel Johnson also had seven points for McKenzie.

Luverne 63, McKenzie 25

The Luverne Tigers took advantage of a 20-point halftime lead to down the junior varsity McKenzie Tigers, 63-25.

For McKenzie, Juan Smith was the leading scorer while Armond Ball, who hit a three-point shot at the halftime buzzer, finished with four points.

Chuck Thompson had five points while Terrance Crenshaw and Emmanuel Johnson each had four points.

Jeremiah Leach and Morreese Barber paced the Luverne offense with 10 points apiece. Greg McGhee and Brandon McGhee also each had seven points.