By MAURICE SINGLETON/Sports Writer

PASCAGOULA — Biloxi led by 22 points at halftime, and the Hattiesburg Tigers were never a serious threat to the Indians in their match-up in the “Cane’s Panther Classic” on Saturday. The 67-54 win was the tenth consecutive for Biloxi as they improved to 14-2.

Biloxi led 15-11 at the end of the first quarter, and from there they went on a 28-10 run, sparked by six 3-pointers in the period and solid post play by the Indians. Kentrell Beasley and Alan Ayala each fired in two threes, and Josh Canaan and Jaden Eckford both drilled in one.

Beasley also scored on a putback, and Carnellous Leonard and Reggie Magee scored on layups in the halfcourt offense in the second quarter.

“It’s always tough to be off a couple of days, go through Christmas. We’ve been off a little while, and play a good team like Hattiesburg,” said Biloxi coach Seber Windham. “I think they’re ranked like four or five in 6A.

“We got a chance to play everybody tonight; we played fifteen guys against a good quality team,” said Windham. “Right now, we’re just trying to be consistent and get better in January.”

Both teams appeared to handle the physical nature of the contest well, and although Hattiesburg were never close after the first period, they actually outscored Biloxi in the third and fourth quarters – 13-11 in the third and 20-13 in the fourth. But Biloxi’s lead at halftime proved to be too much for Hattiesburg to overcome.

Ayala led Biloxi with 15 points, followed by Jakylen Edwards and Leonard with 9 each, and Beasley and Alejandro Montalvo with 8 points each.

James Griffin led Hattiesburg with 14 points followed by Kadarius White with 9 points and Zavian Martin with 7 points, and Tristan Wesco with 6 points on two 3-pointers.

Biloxi resumes play at home on Tuesday against St. Martin, leading up to a huge rival game against Gulfport in Gulfport on Friday.

Hattiesburg moved to 11-7 with the loss, and they play at Terry on Tuesday and host Pearl River Central on Friday.