By Andrew Cato, ShowMe Times Sports Editor

PUXICO - The Bearcats answered any lingering questions about their offensive production on Tuesday night when they faced the Puxico Indians on the road. The ‘Cats had three players in double-figures, shot 40% from beyond the arc, and only turned the ball over 12 times in an 82-72 victory over the Tribe.

The Bearcats were without the services of sophomore assist machine Cody Neldon, who was out with an illness, but Jordan Fitts picked up his production to compensate with a career-high 22 points.

Jake Lee dominated the paint and also had a 22 point night, while Tyler Miller contributed 19 points from his guard position.

The Bearcats had their foot on the gas from the beginning of the contest; Fitts and Chase Young both buried threes in the opening frame to compliment Miller’s 10 point and Lee’s eight point efforts in the opening frame.

Jacob Plunkett answered with a pair of treys for the Indians, but the ‘Cats put together their most productive opening of the season to hold a 26-19 lead after the opening frame.

Fitts drained two more threes in the second quarter, while Lee continued to clean up the offensive glass. The Tribe made some defensive adjustments to slow down the Bearcats’ offensive attack, but Dexter still held a 45-35 lead at the half.

The Indians used great perimeter shooting to chip away at the Bearcats’ lead in the third quarter. Matt Camden knocked down a three early in the third, while Plunkett hit his third trey a minute later. Fitts put in seven points in the frame, but Plunkett knocked down two more threes late in the frame to cut Dexter’s lead to only 56-52 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Indians had their strongest effort of the evening in the fourth quarter, with 20 total points. Garrett Payne hit a three early in the frame, while Camden hit another three midway through the fourth.

For the second game in a row, the ‘Cats iced the game with free throws; Dexter only hit six shots from the floor, but made 14 of 21 stretch free throws to take a 82-72 victory and remain undefeated in SCAA play.

The ‘Cats will be back in action on Friday (Jan 20) night when they return to the Bearcat Event Center to take on the New Madrid County Central Eagles. Tip is set for 6:00 p.m.

Thanks to Bearcat Mom Tracy Miller for the photo!