MONTICELLO – Mendenhall and host Lawrence County split abasketball doubleheader Tuesday night in the final two games in the2-day Lawrence County Thanksgiving Invitational. In girls’ action,Lawrence County exploded for an 85-37 win, as junior guard TiariaGriffin poured home 32 points. In boy’s action, Mendenhall’s hotshooting propelled the Tigers to a 78-62 win.

In the girls’ game, Vicki Rutland’s girls carved out a 22-11 leadafter one quarter, then overwhelmed Mendenhall with a 32-6second-quarter domination. En route to her 32-point effort, TiariaGriffin hit 5 of 7 three-point attempts. She also pulled down ateam-high 7 rebounds, and handed out 5 assists.

Mary Margaret McLaurin added 15 points for the Lady Cougars, andTyra Griffin had 12 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Taylor Bristerhad 9 points.

“We had a tough stretch of games,” Coach Rutland said. “I’m proudof the way our girls kept it together through that tough stretch,and came back with a good team effort tonight.”

Rutland’s Lady Cougars improved to 5-3 on the season, while MarilynColeman’s Mendenhall Lady Tigers fell to 2-2. Mendenhall was led byJosalyn Sullivan who scored 13 points, and Briana Jones, who had11.

The boys’ game was a fast-paced, entertaining affair. Mendenhallled 20-18 after a dynamic first quarter, then steadily pulled awayfrom Lawrence County after that.

LCHS kept it fairly competitive, getting as close as 11 pointsearly in the fourth quarter, only to see Mendenhall pull away to a16-point win.

Coach James Turner’s Tigers improved to 2-1 with the win. JaredTillman led a balanced scoring attack with 19 points. KendallMcClelland and Michael Enoch

added 16 each. Intimidating 6-foot-8 center Darrell Robinson scored15 points, and provided Mendenhall with an inside presence theCougars had a tough time matching.

Pat Bridges’ Cougars suffered their third straight loss, falling to5-3 on the campaign. Jonterrio Evans led Lawrence County with 12points. Antonio Batiste and Brandon Daniels each scored 11.

Lawrence County will be in action on Friday, Dec. 3, atPrentiss.