Tabernacle Christian made short work of visiting Tuscaloosa Christian on Monday night, scoring a 68-36 mercy-rule win in ACEAA boys basketball action.

The Torches turned up the heat in the second quarter, and held an 11-point lead at halftime. They doubled that margin after three quarters, and the running-clock rule went into effect not long into the final period.

John White led Tabernacle (4-1) with 21 points. Max Owen added 17 points and Cobie Howard contributed 15.

Clay Ramsey and Colton Jones led the Warriors (2-1) with 12 points each.

Hayden 70, J.B. Pennington 59: The Wildcats jumped out to a 16-4 lead early and never trailed Monday night, even though the Patriots sliced the deficit to just four points at intermission.

The first half had its contentious moments, with Cats coach Stephen Glover getting slapped with a technical foul for arguing a charge/block foul call near the end of the first half. Likewise in the second half, Pennington’s Jonathan Ogle fouled out on a blocking foul and subsequent technical, and Hayden’s Dylan Bradford hit all four free throws to lock up the victory.

Christian Chappell led the Cats (2-0) with 21 points, including five 3-point baskets. Colton Shirley scored 20 and Bradford added 16. Leonard Johnson grabbed nine rebounds.

Mauricio Hernandez led the Pats (1-2) with 15 points, Christian Baker scored 13 and Weston Jones added 12.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

J.B.Pennington 60, Hayden 57: The Patriots jumped out to a 10-1 lead to start before the Wildcats could catch up, eventually tying the game at 29-29 early in the third. The Cats took a 1-point lead in the fourth quarter before starter Brooke Meadows fouled out with 6:58 left to play, and Pennington took the lead back down the stretch.

Evin Bibb led the Cats (1-1)with 18 points and five steals. Taylor Garrett recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, including a perfect 6-of-6 at the foul line, and Meadows finished with 10 points and five steals. Micayla Ricklels also grabbed 10 rebounds to go with eight points for Hayden.

Darby Hamm led all scorers with 26 points for Pennington (3-0).

Tabernacle Christian 39, Tuscaloosa Christian 27: The Torches held the Warriors to just a single point in the final period on their way to the victory Monday.

Chaise led Tabernacle (3-2) with 14 points, and Katelyn Howard scored 13.

Lauren Caudle paced Tuscaloosa with seven points.