No. 10 Wildcats take down Eugene in SMC win

EUGENE - Four players scored in double figures and the state-ranked New Bloomfield Wildcats rolled to the 72-56 Show-Me Conference victory in spoiling the Eugene Eagles' courtwarming Friday night.

New Bloomfield - ranked No. 10 in Class 2 by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association - improved to 18-3 on the season and 4-1 in the SMC.

"We were very proud of how our players handled a great environment ...," Wildcats head coach Tim Gilmore said. "It was very loud in there at times and Eugene made runs throughout the game, but our kids never seem to waver.

"Our players stayed mentally tough and executed very well throughout the game.

New Bloomfield went up 16-10 after the first quarter and maintained a 32-23 lead at halftime. The Wildcats outscored Eugene 19-15 in the third quarter to extend their advantage to 51-38.

"We felt the biggest key in winning the game was our effort defensively," Gilmore said. "Our players did a great job of challenging every three-point shot and limiting their offensive rebounding."

Senior guard Derek Shikles directed New Bloomfield with 20 points. Senior guard Grant Nichols tallied 17 points, sophomore forward Jak Kitchens recorded 15 and senior guard Jacob Brown put up 11.

Nichols collected a team-high eight rebounds.

The Wildcats host Bunceton in a non-conference contest at 6 p.m. Monday.