HALLSVILLE, Texas - State-ranked Tatum outscored DeKalb in each quarter and earned a 94-50 victory in a varsity boys Class 3A area round basketball playoff game on Thursday at Bobcat Coliseum.
The Bears (18-7) shot 32 percent from the field on 14-of-44 shooting, while the Eagles (21-3) connected on 38 of 91 shots (42 percent from the field). Tatum outrebounded the Bears, 58-37, and had far fewer turnovers, 31-9.
DeKalb senior A.J. Burgin led all scorers with 28 points and pulled down a team-high seven boards. Jayden Boyd had a double-double for the Eagles with 27 points and 20 rebounds.
Tatum held a lead throughout most of the game. The Bears grabbed a lead early in the second quarter when Ramaj Vaughn hit a free throw to make it 13-12. DeKalb would never lead again.
Boyd scored eight points in the third to pace the Eagles, who outscored the Bears, 22-17, in quarter. Burgin led DeKalb with eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
DeKalb had a difficult second quarter as it only scored two field goals-by Burgin and Jamar Vaughn. The Bears shot 30 percent from the field in the first half on 6-of-20 shooting. Jamar Vaughn finished with five rebounds.
Tatum sank 15 of 42 shots for 36 percent and outscored DeKalb, 32-11, in the second. Boyd powered the Eagles with 11 points in the quarter, while Burgin led the Bears with six points.
The first quarter was the closest, with Tatum clinging to a 12-10 lead. Burgin was the top scorer in the quarter with seven points, including a shot from downtown.
Tyrell Hawkins scored six for the Bears and teammate Caleb Dooley added four.