Brent Fells pumped in a game-high 26 points and Drew Casefollowed with 17 points to direct the host Loyd Star Hornets to a65-59 Division 6-2A win over the scrappy Madison St. Joseph BruinsTuesday night. Fells also pulled down 11 rebounds followed by Casewith six.

In the varsity girls game, Shara Johnson fired in 20 points andHailey Ratcliff finished with 15 points in leading the Lady Hornetsto a 66-41 victory over the Lady Bruins. Johnson also made threesteals and had five assists. Ratcliff grabbed five rebounds.

Loyd Star 65, St. Joe 59

The Hornets (15-9, 2-7 ) led by 15 points, 53-38, at the 6:40mark following a trey from Dwayne Branning. The Bruins (6-17, 1-6)cut the deficit to 10 points, 57-47 with 3:09 left then fivepoints, 57-52 with 2:27 remaining.

Loyd Star had spread its offense out to run time off the clockand St. Joe responded by fouling to put the Hornets on the freethrow line where they struggled in three straight attempts.

With 1:11 left to play, Loyd Star’s Russell Brewer went 1-for-2followed by Kordae Otis who nailed two free throws to push theHornets lead to 61-55. St. Joe’s Justin Davis hit a trey to cut theLoyd Star lead to six points 61-55 with 54 seconds left.

Down the stretch, Loyd Star went 4-for-6 from the charity stripto secure the win.

“We played well enough at the end to win it,” said Loyd Starboys coach Moochie Britt. “We missed a few free throw shots. I’mjust glad to get the win.”

Loyd Star finished 12 of 23 from the charity stripe.

Branning finished the game with 11 points and collected fourrebounds for the Hornets.

Leading the Bruins with 20 points was Terrance Bailey. GeorgeMalarf and Dejermy Thomas scored 12 points apiece.

Loyd Star 66, St. Joe 41

“Some of our younger players got some playing experience,” saidLoyd Star girls coach Lori Britt. “It’s good to get a districtwin.”

The Lady Hornets (11-12, 4-5) led the Lady Bruins (3-13, 0-7)14-0 before Chenerd Epps scored the first basket at the 1:26 markin the first quarter. Loyd Star led 18-4 at the end of theframe.

At halftime, the Lady Hornets had pushed their lead to 32-14 and46-21 going into the fourth quarter.

Adding support to the Loyd Star win with five rebounds apiecewere Hailey Sones and Porsha Jones.

Epps powered the Lady Bruins with 15 points.

Junior varsity

The Loyd Star boys put away St. Joe 49-32 in the second half.Adam Case and Cayce Falvey fired in 12 points each for the Hornets.Matthew Henderson added 10.

Quintin Taylor paced St. Joe with 14 points.

Loyd Star travels to Piney Woods Friday night for more districtaction.