Clark's performance boosts Clayton over Moss Point By Zach Mayo

Published: 2013-12-27 11:26:00 Updated: 2013-12-27 13:59:39

Updated at 1:59 p.m.

The Clayton Comets bounced back from a first-round loss in the HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational's Shavlik Randolph bracket, beating the Mississippi Moss Point Tigers 77-64 on Friday morning.

Cincinnati recruit and Clayton star Gary Clark helped lift the team past the Tigers for its first win in the tournament. Clark came a block away from a triple-double, finishing with the monstrous stat line of 35 points, 22 rebounds and nine blocks.

"It really feels good to play at that level all game and see the outcome of it," Clark said.

After losing to the Apex Cougars on Thursday afternoon, Moss Point jumped to a quick with a three-point shot from Kentucky recruit Devin Booker. Terrance Trussell added another deep shot and the Tigers led 8-0 in the opening minutes.

Clayton battled back later in the quarter and trailed 19-12 at the end of the first eight minutes of play.

The Comets pulled closer in the second quarter, holding Booker scoreless through the first five minutes and only allowing him five points in the quarter. Clayton trailed 30-28 at halftime.

"I thought we started the game pretty well," said Moss Point head coach Micoe Cotton. "We tried to pack it inside and have a few bodies on Clark, but the second half we didn't come out and execute defensively."

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Clark's performance boosts Clayton over Moss Point