Chicago, Il. (KFMO) - The Mineral Area Cardinals used a swift attack at the start of the Midwest District Championship Game against Malcolm X to stun the Hawks and reach the National Tournament.
Terron Garrett began the scoring with a dunk, then converted on a rare four-point play after drawing a shooting foul while finishing on a straight-on three.
Maki Joyner drained an uncontested triple, followed by a put-back from Ngundeng Ruey as the Cards piled on for an 11-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.
Malcolm X rallied back as Juaquin Dixon rattled in a floater through defensive pressure to cap off a 7-2 run, cutting the deficit to 13-7. However, Chicago native, BJ Duling finished on an old school three-point play and extinguished the early threat.
Joyner hit his second three-pointer of the game moments later as the margin grew to 21-7.
MAC continued pressing and went to intermission with a 42-26 lead.
Dixon was the only Hawk to break through in the first half with 17 points. He finished with a game-high 28 points in the loss.
MAC handled an early Malcolm X push to start the second half and settled in getting the win.
Garrett led the Cards with 18 points, BJ Duling had 16, and Ruey added 12 in the winning effort.
Mineral Area (21-11) will play in Hutchinson, Kansas in the National Tournament that begins Saturday, March 21. Seeds will be announced Monday evening.