Middlesboro picked up their second victory of the season with an 11-point decision over Red Bird on Saturday. The Jackets used a 24-point third quarter to boost their way to a 63-52 win.

A mark in the win column helps Middlesboro rebound from a lopsided defeat to reigning 13th Region champion Harlan County. For Red Bird, the loss is a set back for a team that earned a double-digit victory over Pineville two days prior.

Sophomore Jabari Kyle paced the Jackets with a team-high 17 points while shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range. Mykel Griffin chipped in 14 points off the bench while shooting at a team-best 75 percent clip. He also hauled in six rebounds.

Drake Thomas and TJ Patterson finished the day in double digits as well. Thomas ended with 13 points. Patterson added 12 points while hitting four of his seven free throws. He also grabbed six boards.

The duo of Austin Napier and Dalton Finley led Red Bird with 13 points apiece. Max Kitoko finished with 11 points to round out the scoring leaders.

The two teams raced to an 11-11 tie at the end of the first. Patterson scored five points in the quarter to lead the Jackets, while Finley drew even with five points of his own.

The Cardinals held a three-point lead heading into halftime before Middlesboro exploded to 24 points in the third quarter to claim a 48-36 lead. Kyle added nine points in the third while Hubbard scored all eight of his points in the quarter.

Red Bird couldn’t overcome the double-digit deficit despite outscoring Middlesboro in the final quarter.

———

Middlesboro (63): Jabari Kyle 17, Christian Hubbard 7, Drake Thomas 13, TJ Patterson 12, Mykel Griffin 14.

Red Bird (52): Max Kitoko 11, Austin Napier 13, Dalton Finley 13, Dylan Asher 8, David Collett 5, Austin Simpson 2.

Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-302-9090 or on Twitter @AnthonyCloudMDN