OZARK, Mo. — Ozark went into the second half with a nine-point cushion before using an 18-0 run to pull away to a 64-38 win over Carl Junction on Thursday.
The Tigers gained the initial lead after scoring the game’s first eight points before the Bulldogs rallied to trim the lead to 8-5 near the midway mark of the opening quarter. Carl Junction got a 3-pointer from Destiny Buerge before she followed up with another score to finish out the first down two, 16-14.
Ozark used a 9-2 run to open the second period, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Anna Hitt to build a nine-point lead they would hold onto through the rest of the first half, heading into the break up 36-27.
The Tigers scored 18 unanswered points over the first 6:49 of the third quarter to take a commanding 54-27 advantage. The lead proved too great for the Bulldogs to make a run before the final horn.
Moriah Putt led Ozark with a game-high 19 points, while Riley Boggs and Hitt each added 15 points in the win.
Jessa Hylton led Carl Junction with 14 points, while Buerge was right behind with 13 points. Klohe Burk added six.
Carl Junction is at Webb City on Saturday and Joplin on Tuesday.
