It was the same tune but a different day for Ripley on Tuesday: they were locked in on defense like few teams in Mississippi can. They help an explosive team from Yazoo City to just 3 first quarter points and led 40-22 headed into the fourth quarter.
The tune changed and the music stopped, though, as the Tigers committed an uncharacteristic 12 turnovers in the span of 5 game minutes. Ripley needed an offensive spark to close the game out.
The Ripley senior duo of Asa Howard and Jesus Ruedas came up big when their team needed it.
Ruedas got a late steal and bucket then Howard nailed a tough jumper to ice the game and propel Ripley into the second round with a 51-41 victory.
The Tigers held Yazoo to single digit scoring outputs in the first and second quarter, the 40th time that they have held an opponent to single digints in a quarter this season.
Ruedas finished with 17 points while Asa Howard added 13.
The Tigers move on to face Choctaw Central on the road on Saturday.
