ADVANCE 77; RICHLAND 73

ESSEX -- Advance picked up a huge basketball victory Friday night by traveling to Richland and stunning the highly regarded Rebels.

"It was really a great win for us," said Advance coach Eddie Dunivan. "We played very well. The kids have come out night after night lately and done the job. They've been doing all the little things."

The Hornets raised their record to 7-9 as they won their first Stoddard County Conference game of the season after three defeats. Richland fell to 12-5 (2-1 in conference).

Advance benefited from a huge first half. The Hornets jumped out to a 31-24 lead after one quarter and expanded it to 51-37 at halftime.

"We really played well in the first half," Dunivan said.

Brant Henson and Andy French led a balanced Advance scoring attack with 18 points apiece. Trenton Statler had 17 and Travis Westbrook 15.

High-scoring Jeff Ross poured in 30 points for the Rebels.

"He's a heck of a player," said Dunivan. "He can score from just about anywhere."

ADVANCE 77, RICHLAND 73

ADVANCE 31 20 12 14 - 77

RICHLAND 24 13 18 18 - 73

ADVANCE (77)

Statler 17, Weisenborn 7, Henson 18, Westbrook 15, French 18, White 2. FG 27 FT 20-27 F 21 (3-pointers: Statler 1, Henson 1, Westbrook 1. Fouled out: Statler, French)

RICHLAND (73)

Ross 30, Clay 12, Foster 13, Patterson 8, Simms 8, Pullam 2. FG 25 FT 19-25 F 21 (3-pointers: Ross 3, Clay 1. Fouled out: Clay, Foster)

MDNM