STARKVILLE — Warren Central’s best boys’ basketball season in years ended a little bit short of its ultimate goal.

Blake Rogers scored 21 points and Jordan Temple added 13 as Starkville won 62-43 Saturday night in the second round of the MHSAA Class 6A state tournament.

Warren Central (22-7) won more than 20 games this season for the first time in at least two decades, but was eliminated in the second round for the second year in a row.

The Vikings also lost to Starkville (22-3) for the second time this season, although this was much closer than the 60-27 punishment the Yellowjackets dished out at the Red Carpet Basketball Classic in January.

Warren Central only trailed 15-13 at the end of the first quarter before a cold spell allowed Starkville to blow the game wide open. Warren Central only hit two shots in the second quarter and scored a total of 14 points in the second and third periods.

Starkville, meanwhile, hit three 3-pointers in the second quarter to open up a 32-18 lead at halftime.

It steadily pulled away in the second half to cruise to its 19th win in a row.

Tyler Talley scored eight of his 11 points in the second half for Starkville.

Chavis Smith led Warren Central with 18 points.

De’Arius Henyard added eight and Jalen Glass scored seven.