St. Joseph used a productive third quarter to aid in its 51-43 victory over Bauxite in a semifinal game at the St. Joseph Family Activities Center.

St. Joseph’s first points of the second half was at the 5:42 mark in the third when Tyler Jones hit a layup, which pushed the Bulldogs’ lead out to 31-28. The Bulldogs’ Wade Beck responded to Bauxite’s basket by sinking two free throws, giving the host a 33-30 lead. With 2:51 left in the third, Matt Lowe came away with a steal and dished the ball to Jones for an open basket. The Bulldogs’ 35-30 lead would remain intact into the fourth.

“I have to give Bauxite credit,” St. Joseph coach Brent Bruich said. “We have to play much better against Arkansas Baptist if we want to win the championship. It’s gonna be tough. They have four starters back off a state championship team.”

The Bulldogs were led by Marcus Kordsmeier’s 14 points. Zach Hambuchen and Tyler Jones scored 13 and nine respectively.

GIRLS

Even with a starter out of the lineup, the Lady Bulldogs found a way to extend their record to 11-0, after a 57-47 win over Arkansas Baptist.

St. Joseph’s point guard Jesse Moix sprained her right elbow in the third quarter of Tuesday night’s win over Episcopal Collegiate. According to St. Joseph coach Chris Kordsmeier, Moix is listed as day-to-day, and he didn’t know if she would be available for Saturday’s championship game against Vilonia.

“I thought all of the kids stepped up with the injury to Jesse,” Kordsmeier said. “Everybody stepped up and played together. I’m proud of the effort and I thought we did a nice job offensively. Heather and Amy did a good job in there. I thought Brooke and Elaine (Kordsmeier) both did a good job of handling the ball and breaking their press.”

The Bulldogs’ Kelsey Davidson scored a game-high 20 points, along with the Lady Eagles’ Lauren Quinn. St. Joseph’s Heather Moix and Amy Schichtl finished with 14 points apiece, and Brooke Enderlin added another eight.

“I like that because we were able to make some shots, and push that lead back up,” Kordsmeier said. “It seems like we’ve been playing Vilonia forever in that championship game. It’s our tournament, so we’re excited. I know they are too. We’re gonna give it all that we got.”