By MAURICE SINGLETON/Sports Writer

PERKINSTON – The Biloxi Indians outscored the Pearl Pirates 22-9 in the third quarter, taking a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter (45-35), and that lead was too much for the Pirates to overcome. The Indians would increase their lead to as many as 16 points in the final period on their way to a 65-53 win.

The win not only marked the 20th of the season for the Indians, but moved BHS into the overall Class 7A Final Four in the Mississippi Coliseum Monday afternoon.

There were six lead changes in the third quarter before Kentrall Beasley sank two free throws with two and a half minutes to go in the period, giving the Indians a 36-34 lead. From that point they would go on a 9-1 run to close out the quarter. During that run the Indians defensive pressure forced two turnovers.

Alejandro Montalvo started the run with a layup in the halfcourt offense. Alan Ayala would convert on a three-point play, scoring on a layup, getting fouled and sinking the free throw. Carnellous Lenard would sink a 3-pointer with 5 seconds remaining on the third quarter clock to close out the scoring in the period.

“Whenever you turn your defense up, everything else collapses on the offensive end,” said Biloxi’s coach Seber Windham. “We’re not an offensive team. We’ve always been known for our defense. Finally, tonight, the ball kind of bounced our way.

“Things I’ve been telling our guys: adversity builds character,” said Windham. “My team went through a lot of adversity. Those close games against Gulfport; we could’ve won three games, but we lost them. A two-point game against Pascagoula, Ridgeland, so many close games. But my guys stuck together, kept fighting.

“These guys have been talked about; people have been ridiculing these guys. And now the ball bounced our way.”

The fourth quarter was pretty even as the Indians won the quarter 20-18, but the Pirates wouldn’t get any closer than within 9 points of the Indians three different times. The Indians answered every Pirates’ run.

The Indians also got huge play out of their guards, Montalvo, Beasley and Jaden Eckford, who would get the ball across half court and secondly, managed their half-court offense down the stretch.

“I’ve got guys who are speaking up and becoming leaders,” said Windham. “It’s happening in practice. None of these guys played varsity basketball last year. I lost all seven guys who played last year. So, these guys have now figured it out, starting to be leaders to each other, and holding each other accountable. When you’ve got that, you’ve got a winning product.”

Beasley and Montalvo would lead the Indians’ scoring with 15 points apiece. Ayala added 13 points. Lenard finished with 8 points and Eckford scored 7 points.

Jalen Stringfellow led Pearl with 14 points. Kaden Arterberry added 12 points for the Pirates.

With the loss, Pearl’s season came to an end with a 23-8 record.

The win brings Biloxi’s record to 20-7 and a trip to the 7A Final Four, with the Indians facing Germantown (26-3) on Monday at noon in Jackson.