Loyd Star senior guard Tyler Williford pumped in a game-high 21points, to lead the Hornets in the Lincoln County Round-RobinTournament championship with a 71-50 Saturday night win over theWest Lincoln Bears.

In the girls game, West Lincoln knocked off Loyd Star 51-36 tocapture the Lincoln County Round-Robin Tournament’s female divisionSaturday night. The Lady Bears were undefeated in the three-daytournament.

West Lincoln hosts Bogue Chitto in a Division 7-1A showdownTuesday, in Jack Case Gymnasium. Loyd Star hosts Hinds AHS for aDivision 6-2A test Tuesday.

West Lincoln 51, Loyd Star 36

The Lady Bears (8-3) pounced on the Lady Hornets for a 15-7first-quarter lead. An 18-9 run by West Lincoln gave the visitors a33-16 lead at the half.

“We played good defense, especially in the first half,” saidLady Bear head coach Lane Young. “We shot the ball well.”

The Lady Hornets came back in the second half and outscored theLady Bears 20-18 but remained 16 points short of the tie.

“We got a good effort on defense,” said Loyd Star head coachLori Britt. “We need more offense.”

Powering West Lincoln with 20 points, two steals and six assistswas Lauren Smith. Alicia Kennedy fired in 12 points, grabbed sixrebounds, made three steals and had three assists. Finishing with10 points was April Kennedy. Monica Price collected five reboundsand made three steals.

Jordan Britt fired in a game-high 27 points, 10 rebounds and twosteals to lead the Lady Hornets. Following with nine rebounds andthree steals was Hailey Ratcliff.

Loyd star 71, West Lincoln 50

The Hornets (12-1) came out firing on all cylinders, as theyclaimed a 24-14 first-quarter lead. Loyd Star’s defensive pressureforced West Lincoln into numerous turnovers, as they forged a 47-29lead at the intermission.

“Our 2-3 zone trap worked well tonight,” said Hornet head coachGene “Moochie” Britt. “We got a lot of steals.”

The Bears opened the second half with a 12-0 run, powered by apair of treys from Kevin King. His last 3-pointer gave West Lincolna brief 41-39 advantage.

Loyd Star closed out the third with a 16-4 spurt to take a 55-45lead into the final stanza. Britt’s ballclub opened the period witha 12-0 run to claim their fifth Lincoln tournament championship ina row, and 8 of the last 9 titles.

“We played and shot the ball good tonight,” said Britt.

Williford also had 6 steals and 7 assists for Loyd Star. KordaeOtis pulled down 8 rebounds. Drew Case had 2 steals and 3 assists.Dwayne Branning had 6 rebounds.

“We competed for 2 1/2 quarters,” said Young whose teamscommitted 28 turnovers. “Turnovers killed us in the secondhalf.”

The Bears were led by Shane Lynch with 17 points, 3 steals and 2assists. Bradleigh Rice had 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Stephen Jonesdished out 6 assists.