Another slow start resulted in another loss for the Houston High School boys basketball team on Monday, as the Tigers fell 55-43 to Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, on Day 3 of the Cabool Holiday Tournament.
The 13th-seeded Tigers managed only 6 points in the first quarter and 15 in the first half. Meanwhile, the No. 8 Bears were ahead 23-15 at halftime and held off Houston after the break.
Only four players scored in the game for the Tigers. Senior guard DJ Riley led the way with 23 points, while freshman guard Griffin Aaron had 8, freshman forward Karson McCain had 7 and senior guard Caden Guerra added 5.
Three players scored in double-figures for Mammoth Spring. Senior guard Richard Gatewood nailed five 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 25 points, while senior forward Ayden Matheny had 13 and senior guard Skylar Davis added 11.
The Bears went 14-for-18 from the free throw line, while Houston sank only 5-of-12 foul shots.
The loss eliminated Houston from the 16-team event, while the Bears earned a berth in the loser’s bracket final on Tuesday.
The Tigers (4-5) wrap up the holiday break with a road game against county rival Licking this Friday (Jan. 2).