The McKenzie Tigers couldn’t overcome Red Level for the win on Monday.

A slow first quarter produced only 6 points for the Tigers, which put McKenzie behind 10-6 at the start of the second. Cliff Pugh, who ended the game with a total of 17 points, came alive in the second, but the Tigers still trailed 25-18 at half.

The third and fourth quarters were better offensively for the Tigers, with them scoring 13 and 16 respectively, but they couldn’t close the gap.

Chuck Thompson and Sir Wallace trailed Pugh in scoring with 6 apiece.

Coach Miles Brown was less than happy with the performance.

“It was probably one of the worse games I have seen us play,” Brown said. “When you miss 16 free throws and have that many turnovers, you can’t win a ballgame.”

Girls

Red Level 60 – McKenzie 42

The Lady Tigers had an equally slow first quarter versus Red Level, and despite an offensive flurry in the second, the Tigers trailed going into half 28-20.

The third quarter could have helped close the gap, but the Tigers missed 6 out of 7 free throws, keeping Red Level’s 8-point lead, 39-31.

The fourth, however, proved too much for the Tigers. McKenzie managed to drop 11 points, thanks to some successful foul shots, but Red Level kicked it into high gear, scoring 21 points.

Dazia Womack led the Tigers with 12 points, followed by Latoria Womack with 11 points.

Head coach Ezelle Powell said experience is still an issue with his squad.

“I think we are looking decent, but we are still just trying to learn the game of basketball and learn how to work as a unit,” Powell said. “I though we had a chance against Red Level, but we turned it over like 30 times. If we can cut our mistakes down and get the ball in the basket, I think we will do pretty good this year.”