If the Caldwell County Tigers are to make a deep postseason run, they’ll have to shake off a tough final week of the regular season.
Caldwell is 0-3 this week after bowing at Calloway County 69-45 Thursday night in a game at Murray State’s CFSB Center.
The Lakers (9-19) took control early.
Calloway scored the first six points of the night and led 12-4 on the way to a 17-6 advantage after one period.
Caldwell (14-15) struggled offensively in the first half, just getting into double figures by the break as Calloway took a 32-10 lead to the locker room.
The Tigers were 0-for-13 from 3-point range in the first two periods.
It was 51-22 after three quarters. Calloway led by as much as 32 points in the final frame.
The second half was more competitive on the scoreboard, with the Lakers outscoring the Tigers only 37-35, but the damage had been done in the first half.
The Caldwell setback follows losses at Christian Fellowship School and Webster County earlier in the week.
Landon Mitchell scored 14 points in the second half to lead the Tiger scoresheet. Pax Aikins finished with 10 points.
Calloway got 19 points apiece from Jackson Ames and Luke Armstrong. Acey Stricklin added 15 points.
It was the first meeting between the Tigers and the Lakers in just over 7 years. Calloway leads the all-time series 16-9.
Caldwell will now turn its attention to the 7th District tournament next week at Hopkins County Central.
The Tigers will face Madisonville-North Hopkins semifinal round action Tuesday night at 7:30.
Caldwell swept the Maroons in two regular-season matchups.
Caldwell County 6 4 12 23 — 45
Calloway County 17 15 19 18 — 69
Caldwell County (14-15)—Mitchell 14, Aikins 10, Roach 8, D. Wilson 8, Lander 3, K. Wilson 2.
Calloway County (9-19)—Ames 19, Armstrong 19, Stricklin 15, Jones 5, Lanier 4, Kelly 3, McManus 2, Weatherford 2.
