AHOSKIE – Bertie High School used a balance scoring attack to handle Gates County High School here Friday night.

The Falcons had five players score nine points each and another four with eight apiece as they downed the Barons 84-35 in the Fifth Place game of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald Holiday Classic sponsored by United Country Joe Murray Realty.

The game was close throughout the opening minutes with a tie at 2-all and then Bertie holding a slight 7-4 edge. Then the Falcons rolled off the final 16 points of the first quarter and coasted to victory.

In addition to scoring the final 16 of the first period, the Falcons also had the initial eight points of the second quarter for a total run of 24-0 and a 31-4 advantage.

Andrew Wiggins broke the drought with a hoop midway through the second quarter and that started an 8-3 spurt for the Barons that helped them get within 34-12.

Unfortunately for Gates, Bertie closed out the first half on a 9-0 run that was sparked by a three-pointer off the hands of Jaquil Hafiz. They led 49-16 at the intermission.

Wiggins started the third quarter with a pair of free throws, but Bertie scored the next seven points and led 56-18. They took a 67-20 lead by the end of the third quarter and went on to victory.

The win allowed Bertie to finish fifth in the tournament.