ROLLA, Mo. — Led by an early barrage of 3-pointers, Carthage took the lead early and never relinquished it in a 58-44 win over Rolla 58-44 on Thursday night in the championship game of the US Bank Rolla Holiday Tournament.
After a seventh straight win, Carthage is now 9-1 on the season.
The Tigers hit five 3-pointers in the opening frame, with Joel Pugh and Max Templeman hitting two apiece and Justin Ray adding one trey.
Carthage led 17-13 at the end of the first quarter.
Templeman drilled his third trey of the game in the second quarter, and two hoops from Britt Coy gave Carthage a 25-17 halftime lead.
After hoops from Clay Kinder, Sylas Browning and Coy, the Tigers took a 37-26 lead into the fourth quarter. 
Coy buried a pair of 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter to push Carthage's advantage to 43-29.
The Bulldogs used a 7-2 run to pull within nine, but the Tigers responded with seven straight points to lock up the win. 
Pugh scored 17 points, while Templeman added 16. Both players hit a trio of 3-pointers. Coy added 12 points and Kinder had seven. 
Pugh was named the tourney's Most Valuable Player, while Templeman and Ray were all-tourney selections.
Adam Hounsom led Rolla with 17 points. 
Carthage hosts Nixa on Tuesday night.
-SoMo Sports Online

Dec. 28 Quarterfinals vs. Lincoln Prep, won 60-37
Dec. 29 Semifinals vs. Warrensburg, won 62-27