TAYLORSVILLE — Even when Watauga was down by 11 points at halftime, the Pioneers felt they had a chance at beating Alexander Central.

Alexander Central center Alek Ayer had other ideas. Ayer scored 34 points, six of them on three dunks, and led the Cougars to a convincing 71-56 victory over Watauga Tuesday night.

It was the second time Alexander Central beat Watauga. The Cougars took a 62-45 win earlier in the season at Watauga.

Alexander Central claimed a 26-15 lead in a sluggish first half. Neither team found a rhythm in the first half, especially the first quarter when the Cougars outscored Watauga 9-3.

Things picked up in the second half on two different fronts. Alexander Central pulled away for good by outscoring Watauga 25-13 to take a 51-28 lead that the Pioneers could not match.

It's not like they didn't try. Jake Pifer, held scoreless in the first half, scored 27 of the Pioneers' 41 points in the second half. Pifer hit five 3-point shots, four regular baskets and made all four of his foul shots.

It turned out not to be enough. Alexander Central led 34-26, but went on a 12-0 run that put the Cougars in front 48-26.

Ben Margolis added nine points and Tyler Sturgill scored seven for the Pioneers. Alexander Central got eight points from Luke Bean.

Watauga plays at South Caldwell Friday night.

 

Alexander Central boys 71, Watauga 56

Watauga

Pifer 9 4-4 27, Poulos 1 2-2 5, Proffitt 2 0-0 4, Margolis 2 5-5 9, Howser 1 0-0 2, Chasteen 1 0-0 2, Sturgill 3 1-2 7, Koppenhaver 0 0-2 0, Mackey 0 0-0 0, Steury 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 12-15 56.

Alexander Central

Bean 3 1-1 8, Smith 1 0-0 2, Ford 1 0-0 3, Birkedal 2 0-0 5, Crouch 2 2-2 6, Miller 0 3-4 3, Ayer 12 10-13 34, J. Watts 0 1-2 1, L. Watts 0 0-0 0, Starnes 0- 1-2 1, Mohon 1 4-6 6. Totals 23 22-30 71.

Watauga          3 12 13 28 — 56

Alexander Central       9 17 25 20 — 71

3-point goals—Watauga 5 (Pifer 5), Alexander Central 3 (Bean, Ford, Birkedal). Total fouls—Watauga 26, Alexander Central 17. Fouled out—Watauga, Proffitt, Howser. Technical fouls—None.