Cardinals sweep first road weekend

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – The Mineral Area men’s basketball team collected two victories in back-to-back nights during its first road stretch of the season.

Tyler Kohl-Ross struck three times from long range, and scored 18 points off the bench as the Cardinals outlasted North Lake (Texas) 80-66 on Friday at the Three Rivers Classic.

Zac Cuthbertson posted a solid double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, and made five steals as Mineral Area shot 49 percent from the field.

Devin Thomas netted 14 of his 16 points in the second half after the Cardinals built a 42-28 halftime lead. Djibril Diallo finished with 14 points.

Mineral Area faced Link Year Prep for the second time this week on Saturday evening, and placed six players in double figures in a 103-76 triumph.

Thomas totaled 18 points and Cuthbertson added 14. The Cardinals surged to a 54-34 advantage at intermission, and only pulled farther away.

Darius Thompson chipped in 13 points and Lamar Morgan registered 11 for the Cardinals (3-0), who will host SW Illinois on Wednesday night.

Mark Laros equaled Kohl-Ross with 10 points each.

Sophomore guard Darius Thompson (3) and the Mineral Area men’s basketball team earned victories over North Lake and Link Year Prep this weekend at the Three Rivers Classic.