GAME 23: Bell City wins consolation final over Rams, 51-38

Bell City jumped off to a fast start and held off Scott City 51-38 in the consolation bracket championship of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament.

Ronnie Gross scored 12 points and 7-foot junior Skylor Blackler added 10 for the Cubs.

Gross hit one of Bell City's three 3-pointers with Melvin Johnson hitting the other two as part of his eight points.

Five Bell City players scored more than eight points.

The Cubs led 15-7 after one period, as Skylor Blackler's putback beat the buzzer, and stretched it to 13 at halftime.

Scott City was as close as seven points, 41-34, but Jeff Long scored off his own miss to bump the lead back to nine.

Cody Page led Scott City with 12 points.

BELL CITY (51) -- Melvin Johnson 8, Jeff Long 9, Jason Hess 4, Ronnie Gross 12, Skylor Blackler 10, Brandon Bell 8. FG 18, FT 12-17, F 22. (3-pointers: Johnson 2, Gross 1. Fouled out: Blackler.)

SCOTT CITY (38) -- Josh Henson 6, Cody Page 12, Shae Simmons 8, Tyler Glueck 2, Brennan Uelsmann 4, Jake Campbell 4, Kyle Lacey 2. FG 13, FT 11-22, F 18. (3-pointers: Campbell 1. Fouled out: none.)