After hanging close for most of the first half, the Houston High School boys basketball team was outscored in a big way after the break and fell to Seymour, 93-68, Tuesday night in Tiger Fieldhouse.
Leading 49-41 at halftime, the visiting Tigers pulled away by putting up another 27 points in the third period while the host Tigers had 14.
Seymour opened the contest with a 9-2 run, but Houston returned the favor and tied the score at 11-all when junior point guard DJ Riley buried a 3-pointer with 3:23 to go in the first quarter.
The visiting Tigers briefly held double-digit advantages during the second period, but the host Tigers closed the gap to 40-37 when senior guard Caden Root sank a trey with 3:24 showing on the clock.
But Seymour got away in the third quarter, as 6-3 sophomore forward Reece Heptko got a hot hand on offense and poured in five short-range field goals and a free throw in the period.
The visiting Tigers’ senior point guard Derek Helms was an offensive force from the opening tip to the final horn and scored a game high 36 points, slashing and driving for numerous buckets while also sinking a trio of 3-pointers and going 5-for 6 from the foul line.
Heptko finished with 25 points, while 6-6 junior Wyatt Henry added 19 (including a slam-dunk after driving the baseline late in the third quarter).
Riley nailed five treys and led Houston in scoring in the game with 21 points, while Root came off the bench to score 12 (including two threes and 10 points in the second quarter). Senior guard Jordan Arthur added 11 points for the home squad, while senior center Brody Adkison and junior center Gavyn Daily added 7 apiece.
The host Tigers didn’t help themselves at the free throw line, sinking only 9-of-29 attempts.
Houston (1-2) travels to Winona on Friday (Dec. 13).