AHOSKIE – Following a close first quarter, Ridgecroft held Pungo Christian Academy to just four second quarter points as the Rams cruised to a 74-35 win over the Raiders.

The victory secured third place for Ridgecroft in the Lt. Nick Brantley Scholarship Tournament for the second consecutive year. Austin Britton led all scorers with 25 points followed by Patrick Dilday with 15.

Pungo’s Zack Credle scored a jumper to start the game, but a trey from Michael Byrum gave the Rams a quick lead. A Chris Smith bucket pulled Pungo back out front but three consecutive baskets gave Ridgecroft a 9-4 advantage.

K.J. Armstrong scored back-to-back baskets, cutting the Rams lead to one. A deuce by Dilday was answered by Armstrong as Ridgecroft clung to the lead, 11-10.

Britton drove the lane for two and Nathan Pierce scored a turn-around jumper to start the second quarter. Following Justin Burbage’s trey, Ridgecroft scored 16 unanswered points, stretching their lead to double digits (31-13).

Zack Fortescue hit a foul shot to end the Rams scoring run. Britton and Braxton Sumner added buckets before the half, giving Ridgecroft a 35-14 lead.

The Rams scored 15 straight points, including nine by Britton, to start the third quarter. Pungo managed nine points in the quarter but the 23 scored by Ridgecroft was more than enough to keep the Rams out front.

Leading 58-23 at the top of the fourth quarter Ridgecroft outscored Pungo

16-12 to take the third place finish, 74-35.

Nathan Pearce was also in double digits for Ridgecroft with an even dozen.

Pungo was lead by Justin Burbage with 10 points.