By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

LYMAN — Harrison Central played much better the second time it faced Biloxi in Region 4-7A play than it did the first time.

However, it still wasn’t quite enough for the Red Rebels.

Visiting Biloxi slipped past home-standing Harrison Central 57-54 Tuesday night. The win pushed the Indians to 5-1 in the region race, and helped Biloxi get back on track after suffering its first league loss late last week in a 52-51 defeat in another close contest to arch-rival Gulfport.

The Red Rebels, who fell to Biloxi on the road 74-47 a month ago, fell to 0-6 in the region race as HCHS is still in search of its first league win. It marked the second consecutive close home loss in region play for veteran head coach Boo Hardy’s squad after falling 51-49 to Ocean Springs Friday.

” It’s that time of the year every team has improved and district games are all hard fought games,” veteran Indians head coach Seber Windham, whose team sits at 16-3 overall, said. “If you get a district win, enjoy it!”

Biloxi’s Alan Ayala poured in a game-high 28 points to pace the Indians to the win, while Reggie Magee added eight points to the winning cause.

The game was the beginning of the second half of their respective region schedules for both teams.

Shaun Murray had 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Red Rebels, while Jordan Bear had 13 points and five steals.

The work doesn’t get any easier for HCHS, which sits 7-13 overall, as it heads to league-leading Gulfport Friday night. The Admirals moved to a perfect 6-0 in the region race and 21-1 overall with a 52-45 win over visiting St. Martin Friday night.

Meanwhile, Biloxi also stays in Region 4-7A play Friday night returning home to face D’Iberville. The Warriors sit at 13-4 overall and 2-3 in the region race after falling at home to Ocean Springs 53-44 Tuesday night.

Ocean Springs, which sits in their place in the league standings at 3-2 behind Gulfport and Biloxi, also return home to host St. Martin Friday night in league action.