Luverne sent the Bulldogs packing Saturday night. The Tigers won the match against their green-clad rivals 64-56.

“We knew Brantley was going to bring it because this was a rivals game,” said Luverne head coach Richard Dorsey.

Brantley did not disappoint. In fact, the teams were tied at the half. Luverne put some distance between them and Brantley in the third quarter. Junior Austin Bryant led the Tigers with six points in the quarter.

The final quarter was won at the free throw line. The Tigers took 20 shots, sinking14 of them. The Bulldogs hit three of seven free throws in the fourth quarter.

Leading the Tigers in scoring was Donta’ Hall with 24 points. Kenterius Womack and Uriah Brown added eight points each.

Leading scorer for the Bulldogs was Derian Jones with 27 points. Malcolm Burnett had 12 points and Brandon Frazier scored 10 points.

The game was Luverne’s last one before starting conference play Tuesday and Dorsey liked what he saw.

“The season is going pretty well,” he said. “The guys are starting to gel a little bit.”

Area play starts with a game against Central (4-5, 1-0) Tuesday night.

“They’re tough,” Dorsey said. “Everybody in our area’s tough.”

Luverne will play Central Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and travel to Calhoun Thursday and to Greenville Saturday.

Brantley will host Florala Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. They take on Goshen Thursday and Pleasant Home Friday.