Jerry Jarrell photo A fake my Dexter's Bobby Rawson (No. 10) sends Bernie's Silas Dill sprawling during SCAA basketball action Friday at Dexter. The Bearcats pulled away late for a 57-48 win on Homecoming night.

"Kevin (Hart) is a good scorer for us offensively and he wants to carry that load for us, but I think David Hessling may have played his best game of the season," first-year Dexter coach Rob Nichols said after the win. "He showed some leadership, played good defense and really brought a lot of intensity to the game."

Hessling, who had his best offensive game of the season with 13 points, knocked down a 3-pointer to open the game, but back-to-back treys by Jake Welch and Zach Curry capped an 11-0 Bernie run mid way through the first that left the Bearcats staggered and trailing, 21-12, heading into the second

Jake Smith's offensive rebound and basket opened the second period scoring, but it was Dexter's turn to make a run.

Hessling hit 2-of-3 free throws after being fouled on a shot behind the arc before Hart lit up the scoreboard with Dexter's next nine points that pulled the 'Cats within two at 25-23.

Dexter finished the period on a 9-3 run for a 32-28 half time advantage.

"In the locker room at half time I could tell the kids were going to toughen up second half," Nichols said. "They just had a different look in their eyes."

Dexter held its ground in the third as Bernie shaved one point of the lead (43-40), but Hessling nailed a 3-pointer to open the fourth period scoring (46-40). Jake Owens answered for Bernie (46-42) and the Mules had three opportunities at the free throw line after getting into the bonus with 5:50 remaining in the game, but could only cash in one charity shot. Bernie finished 10-of-20 from the free throw line.

Dexter took advantage of Bernie's misfortune at the line as Hart finished the period with eight points and Rawson turned a steal into a layup as the Bearcats held on for the nine point win.

"We've played two quarters in a game, then come out and play two bad quarters so many games in a row," Nichols commented. "We've been preaching weeks and weeks about playing four quarters of basketball.

"I guess they had something to get excited tonight. Some times it has been hard to get any type of emotion out of them at all."

The usually high scoring Mules found the offense tougher to come by as Bernie slipped to 9-4 overall and 1-3 in SCAA play. It was the second straight loss for the Mules and third in four games.

"After the first quarter, we really struggled offensively tonight (Friday)," Bernie coach Brad Botsch said. "I thought Dexter played with more intensity defensively and were the hungrier team.

"We're in a funk right now, and even though sometimes you feel like the sky is falling, I know our kids are going to bounce back," Botsch said. "We're not playing as well as we'd like to be, but they are dedicated kids and they want to get better. We're obviously disappointed with our last couple of games, but I still believe in these kids."

Offensively, Curry's 13 points led the Mules while Jake Owens dropped in 12.

Neither team was overly impressive from the field as Dexter finished 22-of-58 (38 percent) while Bernie was slight better at 17-of-43 (40 percent). Dexter was 5-fo-13 (39 percent) from 3-point range, while Bernie finished 4-of-11 (37 percent). Bernie committed 19 turnovers to Dexter's 13.

Dexter made it a sweep on the night as the jayvee Bearcats notched a 59-42 win. Dexter got 10 points each from Brandon Stoker and Jon Bowman in the victory, while Jeremy Walker and Sammy Walker finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively, to pace the Mules.

Dexter improved to 4-10 on the season and 2-1 in SCAA play. The Bearcats will next be in action Tuesday when they will travel to Puxico for a game with the Indians, a team they lost to in the first round of the Bloomfield Christmas Tournament.

Bernie will also be on the road Tuesday when they travel to Neelyville.