LONDON — A 27-13 run in the third quarter allowed South Laurel to pull away from Knox Central while recording a 76-52 win during the process to cap off Saturday’s Raymond Reed Classic.
Led by Jordan Mabe’s 28-point scoring effort, the Cardinals captured their second win in a row while improving to 8-4.
The Panthers (10-3) entered the game with a three-game win streak, but couldn’t recover after the third quarter.
“Really proud of our effort on the defensive end,” South Laurel coach Jeff Davis said. “We will continue to work hard and get better each day. I know this bunch will do the work that needs to be done. Proud of them.”
South Laurel held a 12-11 edge at the end of the first quarter thanks to five points by Mabe, and a 3-pointer by Garrison Brown. Tydus Summers added four points for Knox Central to keep his team close.
Mabe added 10 more points in the second quarter while Max Fullmer and Kaiden McQueen added four points apiece helping the Cardinals’ lead grow to 33-26 at halftime.
Mabe continued to remain red-hot in the third quarter, knocking down two 3-pointers while scoring 11 points as South Laurel’s lead outscored Knox Central, 27-13, during the period to build a 60-39 cushion. Josh Steele added five points during the quarter while McQueen and Fullmer each scored four points apiece. The Cardinals hit 9-of-10 free throw attempts during the quarter.
South Laurel out the game away in the final eight minutes, outscoring the Panthers, 16-13.
Fullmer joined Mabe in double figures, tallying 11 points while McQueen finished with 10 points.
Summers led the Panthers with 17 points while Grayson Burton scored 12 points.
“We played a great first half taking the lead a few times going in down only seven at halftime,” Knox Central coach Mitchell Madden said. “I was really proud of our fight and grit. We came out in the third and they punched us in the face and we didn’t respond, got down double digits and their too good of a team to be down like that, if you want a chance to win.
“Hats off to coach Davis and his team they play hard and controlled the game,” he added. “This game will help my team in many ways down the road.”
