By Mike Mayfield

For the FCT

The Russellville Golden Tigers varsity basketball team had three players score in double digits Monday night as they overpowered the Deshler Tigers, winning with a score of 71-60.

After leading at the end of the first quarter 19-17, the Golden Tigers scored 23 second quarter points to lead 42-26 at the half.

Deshler managed to close the point margin by the end of the third quarter to 51-42 but the Golden Tigers scored 20 points in the fourth to win with a final score of 71-60.

“We played as good as we have all year on defense and our offense came alive tonight,” head coach Michael Smith said.

“This was a much needed win and a great confidence builder. We continue to get better with each game as the players come together as a team.”

“I am proud that we had some success in this game and now we just need to continue to play this way.”

Seven different players scored in Monday night’s game.

Chris Owens was the high scorer for the Golden Tigers with 28 points.  Also scoring double digits were Reed Smith with 14 points and Tyler Willis with 12 points.

Other Tigers scoring were Austin Stidham with seven points and Colby Tompkins with five points, Jalen Scott and Juwan White with two points each.

In separate games this weekend, the Golden Tigers lost by a close margin of 39-38 to Muscle Shoals on Friday and to Florence 84-50 on Saturday.

The Golden Tigers host Phillips Friday at 7:30 pm at the Russellville Middle School Gym.