By MAURICE SINGLETON/Sports Writer

GULFPORT –—The Biloxi Indians chipped their way past the Ocean Springs Greyhounds in their semifinal matchup on Tuesday. The Indians would hold the Greyhounds to 12 second half points as they pulled away for a 51-29 win.

The win gives the Indians a third chance to face the Gulfport Admirals, this time in the Region 4-7A Championship game on Friday.

Biloxi’s Carnellous Lenard got a steal and broke away for a dunk to give Biloxi a 15-12 lead. Jaden Eckford would score on a layup off of a steal on Ocean Springs’ next possession to give Biloxi the lead at 17-12. From that point, Ocean Springs never got closer than within four points of the Indians.

“I think the number two (Kentrell Beasley) controlled the game with his ball handling,” said Biloxi’s coach Seber Windham. “He’s a junior, but he is starting to grow up and be a leader for us.

“We took some big charges and kind of got them out of rhythm,” said Windham. “I think our team is starting to come around, and hopefully everything goes okay for us on Friday.”

Maddox Noblitt scored on a layup off of a steal to open the second half scoring and to pull the Greyhounds to within four points again (23-19), but that was as close as Ocean Springs would get. Biloxi went on a 5-0 run from there, and the margin seemed to widen as the fourth quarter got going.

Biloxi led by 10 points (36-26) at the end of the third quarter, but Biloxi held Ocean Springs to three points in the fourth quarter, while putting up 15 points in the period.

Alan Ayala led Biloxi with 12 points, Kentrell Beasley finished with 10 points, and Eckford and Alejandro Montalvo each added 8 points. Bailey led Ocean Springs 11 points, and Nolan Wells added 9 points for the Greyhounds.

Biloxi takes an 18-6 record into the Region 4 7A Championship game against Gulfport on Friday. Ocean Springs takes a 13-13 record into their consolation game against St. Martin on Thursday.