Clifton Walker of Warren Central drives to the goal as Ouchita’s Johnny Hodge clears away. (The Vicksburg Post/PAT SHANNAHAN)

Ouachita used a second-quarter technical foul to springboard its offense to a blowout of Warren Central, 80-55, Friday night.

The Monroe, La., team improved to 8-1, while Warren Central fell to 6-5.

Trailing 15-11, Warren Central’s Kevin Coker was whistled for a block, then a technical foul was called, giving the visiting Lions four free throws and the ball.

All four were good, followed by a basket by Cortez Matthews, the only senior on the team, for a 21-11 lead.

“I don’t know if that was the turning point in a game like this,” WC coach John Duett said. “It wasn’t the officials, we got beat 30 points tonight.”

A pair of high-flying sophomores, Johnny Hodge and Jay Jackson, had 21 and 15, respectively. Matthews had 18.

Hodge, after missing three of his first four shots, connected on eight in a row, including a pair of rim-rocking alley-oop dunks in the third quarter that put the game away.

“I thought we came out in the third quarter and hit some shots and got a couple of dunks that really got us up,” Ouachita coach Larry Long said. “That kind of put it away right there.”

The loss spoiled Justin Green’s 21-point, 12-rebound performance for the Vikings, who will play the Lions again in the opening game of the West Monroe Tournament during the Christmas break. Carlton Bradford pitched in 11 second-half points.

After clearing the benches, WC outscored Ouachita 20-18 in the final quarter.

“We knew they were young and that’s why I didn’t think they would be as athletic as they were,” Duett said. “That was a very good team.”

(G) St. Fred. 45, WC 36

JaQuita Benard had a game-high 16 points and Lia Green scored 11, but the Lady Vikes (9-2) could not bring down undefeated St. Frederick (13-0) in the first round of the Mazola Shootout.

“We didn’t execute all night,” said WC coach Donny Fuller, whose two losses are to Louisiana schools. “But we played a very good … team.”

Mary Abell scored 12 to lead St. Frederick.