Jerry Jarrell photo Puxico's J Hon protects a rebound from Advance's Cody Mitchell during Friday's 64-34 win by the Indians.

ADVANCE -- Puxico had four players score in double figures and the Indians opened their SCAA conference schedule with a 64-34 win over the Advance Hornets on the road Friday.

David Crain scored a game-high 18 points for Puxico, and produced a double double with 11 rebounds for the game. Matt Allison knocked down 14 points, while teammates John Smith and Kerry McClure (2 3-pointers) connected for 13 and 10, respectively.

"They (Advance) extended a zone on us and we were doing a great job hitting the high post," first-year Puxico coach Josh Dowdy said after his team improved to 3-2 on the season. "David (Crain) was running the short corner and John (Smith) did a great job looking for him and he was just finishing. David, he's a workhorse. If he misses, he's going to get his board. You've got to love him."

Puxico jumped on Advance early, hitting its first three shots for a quick 6-0 lead, then finished the second quarter on a 9-0 run to take control of the game heading into the locker room at half, 29-12.

Advance did make an early run in the third, then chipped away at the Puxico advantage until they cut it to 37-26 with 3:47 remaining in the period, but another late surge (9-2) by Puxico over the final two minutes of the period gave coach Josh Dowdy and his team some breathing room, 46-28.

The Indians poured it on in the final period for a 18-6 advantage and the 30-point win.

"I was real concerned (before the game) that they had their two players back in (David) VanGinnip and (Cody) Mitchell, but we responded so well," Dowdy said. "We just got after it the first half on the defensive end, and held them to 12 points. I couldn't be more pleased. Any time you hold a team to under 40 points, you've got to be pleased as a coach.

"I'm so excited for them (the team)," he added. "This is our rival and it's just nice to get a win in the fashion we did it."

Puxico sizzled from the floor, shooting 53 per cent (22-for-42) for the game, and 18 of 21 from the free throw line.

The Indians also improved their efforts on the boards and in the turnover department after a poor start to the season in both departments.

"We've been getting beat on the boards and that has been a problem the first three games," Dowdy noted. "We've been working hard on blocking out and putting a body on people and grinding them out and its paying off for us. We also cut our turnovers down. We're averaging 19 a game and I don't know how many we had, but I bet it was only five or six tonight (Friday)."

Advance was its own worst enemy in the shooting department. The Indians were a dismal 5-of-24 from the floor in the first half and finished the game, 14-of-48 (30 percent). They weren't much better at the free throw line where they hit on just 5 of 13 attempts.

Center Chris Welch paced the Hornets offensively with 12 points, followed by Jacob Bond with 10.

Advance remains winless on the season at 4-0 over all and 0-2 in SCAA play. The Hornets will be looking for their first win this Friday when they will host Scott City.

Puxico moved above the .500 mark with the win at 2-3, 1-0 in conference play. The Indians will next be in action at home Friday when they will host Zalma.