CARTHAGE — A quick start propelled the Carthage Tigers to a 71-45 win over McDonald County in boys basketball action on Thursday night.
The Tigers improved to 6-2 with the win.
Patrick Carlton scored 23 points to lead Carthage, with 18 of those points coming in the first period. Alex Martini and Marcus Huntley added 12 points apiece for the Tigers.
Cooper Reece led the Mustangs with 15 points, while Boston Dowd chipped in 10.
Carthage led 24-12 by the end of the first quarter.
Both teams managed eight points apiece in the second period, and the Tigers led 32-20 at the break. Carthage held a comfortable 50-33 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Carthage will compete at the U.S. Bank Holiday Tournament in Rolla on Dec. 26. They will open tournament play vs. Warrensburg at 2:30. The game will be played at St. James High School.

Carthage 71, McDonald County 45
McD Co      12    8    13    12 - 45        
Carthage    24    8    18     21 - 71
   
Scoring
McDonald County: Reece 15, Dowd 10, C. Smith 8, B. Mora 6, Clarkson 2, Harris 2, McAlister 2.
Carthage: Carlton 23, Huntley 12, Martini 12, Mueller 7, Feurt 5, Downing 4, Frisinger 3, Jackson 3, Gacke 2.
3PFG: Dowd 2, Feurt, Frisinger, Huntley, Jackson.

JV: Carthage 60, McDonald County 37
9th: Carthage 38, McDonald County 32