Complete-game performance propels Bernie past Twin Rivers, back to BCT semifinals

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - The No. 4 seeded Bernie Mules never trailed by more than two points in the first half and took control early in the second half in a 51-36 quarterfinal victory against the No. 5 seeded Twin Rivers Royals Saturday night.

"I thought it was probably one of the most complete games we played all year," Bernie coach Brad Botsch said. "From start to finish our kids were coachable and had the intensity we thought we needed. We knew they would be ready to play after we beat them earlier in the year like we did. Our kids matched their intensity from the get-go."

Neither team led by much in the first half.

The Royals' largest lead was 14-12 in the opening minute of the second quarter before Bernie led by as much as 19-14 and entered halftime with a 19-17 advantage.

A pair of 5-0 runs in the third quarter helped Bernie pad its lead to 31-23 by the start of the fourth period.

Twin Rivers never got closer than eight points in the final eight minutes of regulation.

"We've had some poor third quarters this year," Botsch said. "I think we've emphasized coming out of the half and doing some better things. Once we got control with a lead we were able to control our shots and get the ball exactly where we wanted, which kind of put them in a situation where it looked like they had to force it a little bit late and when they did we continued to rebound."

Both teams hit one 3-pointer.

Twin Rivers finished with one more made field goal than Bernie.

The Mules made up the difference by going 18 of 22 from the free throw line, while the Royals drained just one of two free throws.

Caleb Ellenburg paced Bernie with 21 points. Brandon Sparks added 13 more, Gavin Smith scored 10 and Matt Vernon calculated eight points.

Seth Snider paced Twin Rivers with 12 points.

"They've got two guys inside who can really score in Mittelstadt and Snider," Botsch said. "I thought our kids did a good job collapsing in there and did a good job of closing out on shooters. We were able to help inside and still get out on people. Defense was something we talked about in our opening-round game and I think tonight we had a great defensive effort."

Bernie is slated to square off against top-seeded Hayti Monday at 7 p.m. in a championship semifinal of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament.

Undefeated Hayti beat No. 8 seeded South Pemiscot 64-51 in its quarterfinal Saturday. The game was tied 31-31 at halftime before Hayti won the second half by 13 points.

"They are extremely athletic," Botsch said of Hayti. "Dustin has come in there with a lot of energy and the kids are playing very well for him. I think it will be a big challenge for our kids to match that athleticism and we are going to have to really do a lot of things well to beat them. But I think our kids are capable and we are going to do everything in our power to get them ready."

No. 4 Bernie 51, No. 5 Twin Rivers 36

TRS 12 5 6 13 - 36

BHS 12 7 12 20 -- 51

TWIN RIVERS (36) -- Jase Worley 4, Chance Wilkerson 5, Andrew Mittelstadt 6, Josh Suiter 9, Seth Snider 12. FG 17, FT 1/2, F 17. (3-pointers: Wilkerson 1. Fouled out: none)

BERNIE (51) -- Matt Vernon 7, Brandon Sparks 13, Caleb Ellenburg 21, Gavin Smith 10. FG 16, FT 18/22, F 5. (3-pointers: Ellenburg 1. Fouled out: none)

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No. 1 Hayti 64, No. 8 South Pemiscot 51

SPS 9 22 9 11 - 51

HHS 19 12 16 17 -- 64

SOUTH PEMISCOT (51) -- Contrell Johnson 21, Glen Jackson 11, Steve Wilbourn 4, William Macintyre 10, Jabari Herron 5. FG 20, FT 6/13, F 12. (3-pointers: Johnson 3, Macintyre 2. Fouled out: none)

HAYTI (64) -- Kedron Rollings 5, Ted Hall 1, Devan Riddick 14, Indaqual Presberry 15, Brandon Burden 14, Brendon Presberry 15. FG 26, FT 7/11, F 14. (3-pointers: Rollings 1, Riddick 1, Indaqual Presberry 3. Fouled out: none)