Sullivan Central got a jolt offensively with forward Caleb Rose’s four 3-point bombs in the first quarter, but the Cougars could not sustain it in the face of Hampton’s withering defense.

The Bulldogs held Sullivan Central to nine points in each of the second and third periods and pulled away for an easy 87-59 victory on Thursday at Van Huss/White gymnasium.

“I thought our defense was a big difference tonight,” Bulldogs head coach Ned Smith said. “Kids played hard on defense and shared the ball. All of them did that and I was pleased with the effort.”

Hampton (1-0) trailed 23-21 at the end of the first period thanks to Rose’s 13 points, but the ‘Dogs came to life in the second period and took a 50-32 lead into the halftime break behind senior post Jordan Bentley’s 12 first-half points.

Bentley was just one-of-five Hampton players to score double figures in this one along with Morgan Lyons team-leading 16 points. Also in double figures were Caleb Oaks with 15, Matt Hughes with 11 and Rocky Croy with 10.

Bentley finished with 14 points on the night.

“Morgan was 8-for-9 from the floor tonight,” Smith said. “He plays hard and that’s good for a freshman. We had 22 assists as a team and I really like that.”

A 21-9 third quarter by the ‘Dogs gave Hampton a comfortable 71-41 lead going into the final stanza and they cruised from there. Rose led all scorers for Central with 23 points.

GIRLS

Sullivan Central 52, Hampton 37

Senior guard Stephanie Campbell was a thorn in the side of the Lady Cougars with 16 first-half points as Hampton trailed by just 24-22 at the half. Central’s head coach Kristi Walling then decided to make a change defensively that paid huge dividends.

“We were having trouble keeping up with number 3 (Campbell),” Walling said. “I felt like we came out flat and looked tired at times, but give credit to Hampton they are scrappy and they never give up. We lost her at times in man defense, so we made the adjustment in the second half to go zone and make sure we gave her hard shots and know where she was on the floor.”

The Lady Cougars (2-0) led 34-31 going into the fourth quarter but that was the last time Hampton was that close. Central went on a 16-0 run to open the fourth quarter and only a Campbell trey late in the period stopped the bleeding for Hampton.

Campbell led all scorers with 27 points while Peyton Sams led the way for the Cougars with 18 points. Avery Leming scored 13 and junior post Abbey Crawford added 11 for Central.

“We didn’t start well and we didn’t finish well,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Bud Hazelwood said. “We had a real good second quarter and a decent third quarter but the fourth quarter we might have got a little tired there. We didn’t do anything in the fourth quarter, but that doesn’t take away from the overall effort. Central is a real good ballclub. We battled and we’ll get better. One game does not make a season.”