Jamie Smith scored 15 of his career-high 19 points during the second half as Higbee pulled away for a 71-55 win over Missouri School for the Deaf.

The game was tied at 33-33 before the Tiger offense heated up late in the game. Higbee scored just nine points in the second quarter and led 29-27 at half. The Tigers scored 42 in the second half to improve to 5-6 for the season.

“The boys won a battle due to grit and guts down the stretch,” Higbee coach Tanner Burton said.  “I though our guys did a good job of keeping composure and hitting shots in the third quarter after they tied us at 31.

“We forced them to stretch their defense and that allowed us easy looks down the stretch.”

William Gibson was 10-18 and 4-9 from 3-point to finish with 24 points. Seth Kirby was 3-11 from the arc for nine points and seven steals. Keetun Redifer had 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Luke Ritter had five points, eight rebounds and six assists.

In addition to his 19 points, Smith had 12 rebounds, including nine on the offensive end.

“He was the difference in the game the second half and it helped us seal a win,” Burton said.

Higbee 51, MSD 4

Devin Clark had 20 points, 15 rebounds and six steals in Higbee’s 51-4 win over Missouri School for the Deaf on Tuesday.

The Tigers did not allow a point over the first 16 minutes and led 36-0 at the half.

Macey Whisenand had 11 points and three assists. Victoria Gibson had six points, four steals and three assists.

Madison Ferguson and Hailey Derboven each had five points. Emma Johnson had eight rebounds and Shelby Garven had six. The Tigers have a record of 4-7.