Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Puxico, Missouri – The Dexter Bearcats traveled to Puxico to take on the Indians Tuesday evening.  The Bearcats played a strong first half, but were unable to stop the Indians. 

Dexter tied the game with just six minutes left in the 2nd quarter.  It was a close game with Puxico going into the locker room at half-time ahead by just one point.  Half-time score 25-24.

“We had a poor start to each half against Puxico,” commented head basketball coach Rob Nichols.  “We played well at times, but we just don't the experience to draw from to continually recover from poor starts.”

Bearcats’ Ethan Flowers did quite well earning a team-high 21 points including 4 treys matching Puxico’s total of four 3-pointers. 

Cole Renken tallied 16 points for Dexter along with D.J. Dowdy who finished with 14 total points including a trey. 

Austin Chesser was the only other Bearcat to hit a 3-pointer.  He finished with 7 points.

“Ethan shot the ball well and D.J. did a good job of getting to the rim at certain points in the game,” continued Nichols.  “Cole also had a solid game offensively.”

Puxico had six players reaching double figures.  Austin Teichman recorded 15 points.  Zach Tucker tallied 14 points.  Garrett Payne, Corey Pratt, Seth Luttrell and Tim Hancock each finished with 10 points apiece.  Corey Pratt and Seth Luttrell each hit two treys for the Indians.

“Puxico has a good size and strength and are pretty talented offensively,” stated Nichols.  “We gave them too many second chance points and we didn’t come up with enough 50/50 loose balls that you have to get to win close games.”

Dexter will be back at home on Friday night when they host New Madrid County Central.  Game time 6:00 p.m. at the Bearcat Event Center. 

When asked about NMCC, “You have to handle their defense pressure first of all.  Defensively, you have to contain their dribble penetration and keep them off the offensive glass,” stated Nichols.  “They are a very athletic team.”

Final Score  Puxico 69   Dexter 64

Dexter      10   14   17   23  -  64

Puxico      16     9   22   22  -  69

Dexter (64) - Noah Kronk 2, D.J. Dowdy 14, Peyton Pollock 4, Austin Chesser 7, Ethan Flowers 21, Cole Renken 16. FG 25, FT 10/15, F 20. (3-pointers: Dowdy 1, Chesser 1, Flowers 4. Fouled out: none)

Puxico (69) - Garrett Payne 10, Corey Pratt 10, Austin Teichman 15, Tim Hancock 10, Seth Luttrull 10, Zack Tucker 14. FG 26, FT 13/19, F 14. (3-pointers: Pratt 2, Luttrell 2. Fouled out: Tucker)