GAME 6: Kelly puts up fight but falls to Rams 73-48

By RACHEL CRADER ~ Semoball.com

At the end of the first quarter, Kelly first-year coach Nathan Wills could be heard screaming at his team from across the Show-Me Center. He wasn't impressed with their defense, or their rebounding, or, seemingly, anything else.

His team responded in the second quarter by outscoring the Scott City Rams 18-13.

Down only 11 points at halftime to the No. 6 seed, the Hawks had the first legitimate chance to pull of an upset in this year's Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

However, Scott City was able to respond to Kelly's challenge and pull away in the second half for a 73-48 victory.

The Rams were led in scoring by seniors Ryan Modglin and Jay Simmons with 15 points. Alex King added 14 points.

Josh DeBrock kept Kelly in the game with 15 points, while Josh Rodgers scored nine.

SCOTT CITY 73, KELLY 48

KELLY (48) -- Ryan Essner 2, Chris Cooper 5, Josh DeBrock 15, Levi Felter 2, Blake Wade 3, Ross Lasater 2, Omar Campos 2, Zach Essner 2, Bryce Faulkner 2, Eric Turley 4, Josh Rodgers 9. FG 21, FT 3-3, F 16 (3-pointers: Cooper 1, DeBrock 1, Wade 1. Fouled out: none)

SCOTT CITY (73) -- Jay Simmons 15, Shae Simmons 13, Caleb Estes 8, Cody Page 2, Travis Scherer 4, Ryan Modglin 15, Jake Campbell 2, Alex King 14. FG 26, FT 16-19, F 10 (3-pointers: J. Simmons 1, S. Simmons 3, Scherer 1. Fouled out: none.)