MURFREESBORO – Bertie Middle School split a pair of outings at Hertford County Monday.

The HCMS boys took a 34-26 victory while the Bertie girls claimed a 28-20 win.

In the girl’s contest, both teams got off to a slow start as they scored a combined 11 points in the first quarter, but Bertie claimed seven of those.

The Phoenix added to their lead in the second period and took a 13-7 lead into the intermission. BMS continued to pull away in the third quarter and led 21-10 heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth, the home team outscored the Phoenix 10-8, but it wasn’t enough as the visitors claimed their fourth victory against only one defeat.

Akia Jordan led the way for Bertie with eight points while Jomyia Earley added seven and Carlisa Spivey had six. Shanidra Outlaw chipped in three while Jessie Mizelle and Latavia Cofield had two each.

In the boy’s contest, Hertford County Middle jumped out to a 22-10 halftime lead and never surrendered the advantage. Bertie outscored its opponent in the final two quarters, but it wasn’t enough.

“We missed 12 free throws in the first half,” BMS coach Grantley Mizelle said. “In the last game, we missed 19 against them. We must take advantage of easy points and we must get more effort from the entire team.”

Shykeef Daniels led the Phoenix with eight while Cory Cherry had five and Erick Speight contributed four. Jordin Morning, Tyrese Bazemore and Marcus Philyan had two each and Desmond Overton rounded out the scoring with one point.

The loss dropped BMS to 2-3 overall.

Both Phoenix teams will return to action Jan. 2 when they host Central Middle School from Gates County.