Junior Ryan Armstrong scored a season-high 29 points for Malta Bend. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

SLATER -- There was no lack of offensive firepower during Monday's cross-county hook-up between Malta Bend and Slater.

The Tigers got 29 points from junior Ryan Armstrong, but that wasn't enough to counter the 36 points racked up by senior Aric Falls to lead the Wildcats to a 78-62 non-conference home win.

Falls and the Purple were consistently productive during the game, which was necessary since Malta Bend -- other than a nine-point second quarter which left it 13 points behind at halftime -- kept the pressure up. Falls hit three shots, two from outside the arc, during the first period and four in each of the next three stanzas.

Sophomore Tyler Armstrong scored nine of his 16 points during the opening frame, 14 for the half, but the Tigers (1-3) still trailed by seven after eight minutes. Seniors Austin Foster and Kyle Durham each had eight first-quarter points, combining for 29 points for the game, for the 'Cats (3-5).

Both teams play intracounty games next, the Tigers hosting Sweet Springs today and Slater will be playing at home Wednesday against Santa Fe.

Santa Fe 63, Lexington 49

LEXINGTON -- Santa Fe used a balanced attack, and some late free throws, to hold off Lexington for a 63-49 non-conference road win Monday.

The Chiefs had four players in double figures, and led throughout the contest after gaining a 14-9 first-quarter lead. The Minutemen were within six points going into the final frame, but Santa Fe sank nine of 13 attempts from the charity stripe to put away the win.

Senior Seth Smith scored 17 points and seniors Darren Ralston and Nick Perez had 11 each for Lexington (3-5), which won last year's meeting at Alma by 12 points.

The Chiefs (4-1) were topped by junior Taylor Wesley's 17 points, six rebounds and three steals -- with contributions also from junior Brett Case (13 points) and seniors Kenzie Thorp (12) and Nate Moenkhoff (10).

Girls

Slater 60, Malta Bend 20

SLATER -- Even though no junior varsity game was scheduled, Slater head coach Bob Gonzalez had 16 players in uniform -- and played them all, 15 before the first half was over -- during Monday's 60-20 non-conference rout of visiting Malta Bend.

Sophomore Niki Kruger scored 10 points, senior Erika Yager had eight and freshman Saria Leimkuehler made three buckets during the Lady Wildcats' 28-5 first-quarter blitz. After that, only the final score was in doubt.

Junior Jerrian Johnson had 12 points for the Lady Tigers (0-4), who were plagued by 32 turnovers.

Yager wound up with 14 points and Kruger had 12 for Slater (3-4), enjoying a 60-26 edge in shot attempts.

Lexington 66, Santa Fe 23

LEXINGTON -- It appeared briefly that Santa Fe's defense would be able to contain host Lexington, but that didn't last.

Leading 8-6 after one quarter, the Minutewomen went on a 47-13 tear during the middle two frames Monday, cruising to a 66-23 non-conference victory. Lexington took advantage of its 34-19 dominance of the boards and a two-to-one (24-12) turnover gap to take command.

Four players scored in double figures for the Minutewomen (4-4), led by 19 points from senior Lyndsay Swafford and 18 by junior Annie Summerlin.

Junior Dani Heimsoth tallied six of her team-high 10 points in the opening period for the Lady Chiefs (1-4), who have lost four straight games.