HERMANN — Turning back New Haven (60-42) and Hermann (52-48) in first-round and championship semifinal action respectively, Jeff Schultz’s Belle Tigers earned a shot at their second consecutive tournament title in as many weeks Saturday night facing St. James’ Tigers in the championship game of the Hermann Invitational Boys Basketball Tournament.

Deadlocked at 12-12 after one quarter, St. James’ defensive pressure began to give the Belle fits leaving Maries County’s Tigers facing a 29-20 halftime deficit.

St. James’ defense picked up in the second half eventually leaving Belle trailing by double digits 47-29 after three quarters.

Falling 62-36 to Phelps County’s Tigers, Belle saw their 14-game winning streak snapped.

“We knew this would be a tough game for us tonight,” Schultz said. “We were able to stay with them for a half and then to their credit, their defensive pressure got to us in the second half.”

Hank Stratman led Belle with 10 points followed closely with nine points from Garrett Gehlert.

Kooper Elrod and Hank Willis chipped in six points apiece while Kelhen Struemph (3) and Luke Rohrer (2) rounded out the scoring for Belle.

Tate Gruver led three St. James Tigers in double figures with 20 points.

Isaac Smith (19) and Nick Gleason (13) also reached double digits in scoring for St. James.

Belle at Hermann

Defeating one Highway 100 opponent in first-round action against New Haven, Belle’s Tigers went for another win along that stretch of road last Thursday night against the host Hermann Bearcats.

Trailing 12-7 after one quarter, Belle found themselves starting at a 24-20 halftime deficit.

Outscoring Hermann 16-5 in the third quarter, Belle was able to use the momentum from that to hold on for a 52-48 victory over the host Bearcats advancing them to their second tournament championship game in as many weeks.

Gehlert led three Tigers in double figures netting 13 of his game-high 16 points in the second half. He also added five rebounds, five assists and three steals to his sweet point total.

Elrod added 10 of his 14 points in the first half while Stratman rounded out Belle’s double-digit scoring trio with 10 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Willis chipped in seven points and five rebounds while Rohrer hit a fourth-quarter 3-pointer for three points.

Struemph rounded out the Belle scoring against Hermann with two points in the third quarter.

Myles Stiers led three Hermann Bearcats in double figures with 16 points.

Ryker Ash (15) and Kohlt Witthaus (13) also reached double digits in the scoring column for Hermann.

Belle vs. New Haven

Opening Hermann Tournament action last Wednesday against New Haven’s Shamrocks, Belle’s Tigers looked for their second win of the season over the green and white.

Finding themselves down 25-24 at halftime, Belle outscored the Shamrocks 36-17 in the second half of their 60-42 victory.

Catching fire from the field in the second half, Elrod scored 19 of his game-high 24 points in the second half to lead the Tiger offense.

Nearly missing a double double, Elrod added nine rebounds, three assists and two steals to his game-high point total.

Stratman threw in 13 of his 18 points in the first half to go along with six rebounds and six assists.

Willis rounded out the Tiger double-digit scoring trio with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Gehlert and Struemph also chipped in four points apiece for Belle.

Traveling to Bourbon last night (Tuesday) for a Gasconade Valley Conference (GVC) road game, Belle will cap the week with a pair of home games tomorrow (Thursday) against the Rolla Royals and on Friday in homecoming action against the Missouri Military Academy (MMA) Colonels.

Action both nights later this week will tip off at 6 p.m.