Joplin played host to Kickapoo Wednesday night for a boys basketball contest and the Eagles fell behind early while the Chiefs grew their lead, eventually claiming a 75-43 win.

Joplin was behind 20-12 after the first eight minutes of action. The scoreboard showed 42-23 by intermission and the deficit only grew from there.

The Chiefs tallied 26 points in the third stanza while holding the Eagles to just 8 and led 68-31. Joplin did win the fourth quarter, 12-7.

The home team was led by Fred Taylor’s 9 points. T.J. Willis, Trenton McCadney and Brecken Green each added 8.

Kickapoo (12-5) got 15 from William Winn, 14 from Elijah Nabors and 10 from Vicente Mhire.

Joplin won the freshman game 42-40 and the junior varsity game 33-30.

Joplin (8-9) hits the hardwood again Friday when it travels to Ozark (11-4) for a 7:30 p.m. varsity game. The Tigers have notched consecutive wins of 20-plus points.