Sikeston, Missouri - Not sure when the last time Dexter saw a Wednesday night game in the SEMO Conference, but with their win over Kennett on Tuesday evening, the Bearcats have earned another night on the court at the Sikeston Field House.  The No. 8 seeded Dexter Bearcats easily upset the #7 seeded Kennett Indians 63 - 41 to advance to a consolation semifinal on Wednesday, December 7th at 7:30 p.m. at the SEMO Conference Tournament.

This was also Dexter's first win of the season after losing to Charleston, Sikeston, and New Madrid County Central.  Yet another accomplishment for the Bearcats tonight was their first SEMO Conference Tournament game win since 2007 and the third one ever in the history of their participation in the conference according to local sources.

We saw an excited and confident team tonight on the court vs last night's less than appealing effort against NMCC.  Things had to change quickly for Coach Dowdy and his Bearcats and tonight there was a "new" atmosphere at the Sikeston Field House.

"Yes, it did get better," stated Dexter head basketball coach Josh Dowdy.  "I had a friend of mine today tell me it is like we have two teams and tonight was that other team that I didn't see last night.  I hope I get to see this team more often."

Kennett trailed at the end of the first quarter 19 - 9.  That lead increased to 37 - 12 by halftime.

Junior Bearcat Ben Sindle was on fire tonight.  He stuffed four of his six 3-pointers in the first half and finished with a game-high 18 points.  All on treys.

"With Ben, it is all about confidence and belief and we want him locked and loaded. He didn't look anywhere else but that rim.  Even later in the game we still wanted him shooting since he was shooting so well.  Great kid and we are going to need that shooting later on."

Senior Jason Jarrell recorded 14 points.

Juniors Clay Mullins and Gabe Jackson each contributed 12 points.

"Good for them for coming back after playing so poorly last night.  We played real well tonight." Dowdy said.  "Gabe had his struggles last night, for various reasons,.  They were packing things down on him and he just didn't handle that very well.  I am just glad he came back tonight and had a new approach."

Kennett (1-3) was led by Jad Kenny who finished with 12 points and Jarvis Stewart who added 10 to the scoreboard.

Dexter (1-3) will take on Notre Dame on Wednesday, December 7th at 7:30 p.m. in the Sikeston Field House for a chance to play in the consolation Championship on Friday night.

When asked about Wednesday's game Dowdy said, "To be honest, I wasn't even expecting to play on Wednesday night.  We are happy, and I am very happy for them.  We went to bed pretty upset last night and to come back after playing so poorly we had a good showing tonight!"

Final Score Dexter 63, Kennett 41

Dexter   19   18   16  10  -  63

Kennett   9     3   14  15  -  41

Dexter (63) - Jason Jarrell 14, Alan Pippins 3, Ben Sindle 18, Clay Mullins 12, Ryan Mayo 3, Chad Smith 1, Gabe Jackson 12.  FG 25, FT 6/12, F 13. (3-pointers: Ben Sindle 6, Ryan Mayo 1.  Fouled Out: None).

Kennett (41) - Jay Davis 4, Patrick Maddox 8, Cameron West 2, Jarvis Stewart 10, Jaylean Kinnon 5, Jad Kenny 12.  FG 15, FT 9/13, F 19. (3-pointers: Patrick Maddox 1, Jarvis Stewart 1.  Fouled Out: None).

"You have to have fun playing the game and that's where it starts.  One or two slaps on the floor it  becomes contagious," continued Dowdy.  "My first few words in the locker room tonight were - no practice tomorrow, it's game time!!!!"