Burch raced out to an 11-0 lead to start the game and led 17-9 at the end of the first quarter, but the Tigers kept chipping away until the Bulldogs' advantage was only 3 at halftime, 25-22.
The Tigers kept the game close throughout the second period, but could get no closer than three to tying the game.
Matewan cut its deficit to 30-26 on a layin by Micah Mahon early in the third quarter, but Burch maintained the lead throughout the period and outscored the Tigers 11-9 to take a 36-31 lead into the final stanza.
Burch drove the final nails into the Matewan coffin with a 9-0 run to start the final quarter.
The Dogs then got a free throw from Keith Hill, a layin by Ryan Hatfield, a 3-pointer from Hill and a layup by Hatfield off a Jacob Stratton steal. Hatfield was fouled on the layup and made the free throw to give Burch a 45-31 with 5:18 left in the game.
From there, the Tigers could only cut the BHS lead to four points before Burch built a cushion in the final minute of the game, scoring eight straight foul shots — two from Hatfield, two from Corey Cook, two from Troy Starr and two more from Zac Runyon — to seal the win shut.
"We got up 11-0 and I thought we quit playing the rest of the game until the start of the third and part of the fourth. Other than that, I didn't think we played well at all," Burch Coach Kevin Hatfield said. "We're fortunate to get a win. But, I don't think we deserve to win with that kind of effort. I don't know if we all of a sudden think we're good, but we're 6-2. Matewan did what they had to do. My team's effort was embarrassing. We're taking too many 3s, we're not looking inside and we're missing too many layups. We're just not playing well. Our last two games have been our worst outings of the year. If we play like we have the last two games, we'll lose our next two, against Man and Lawrence County (Ky.), for sure."
Burch was led by Hatfield with 27 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. He made two of the Bulldogs' five 3-pointers. Starr was next with 10 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Cook scored eight, gave nine assists, got four steals and grabbed three rebounds. Hill netted seven points, grabbed three rebounds, got two steals and blocked one shot. Hill made two of the Bulldogs' five 3s. Stratton scored two points, yanked down six rebounds, gave four assists and got two steals. Runyon scored two points, grabbed three rebounds and gave an assist. Gabriel Vinson scored two and Cody Williamson and Dave Hatfield each reeled in three rebounds.
The Bulldogs made 18-of-50 field goals for 36 percent shooting. From behind the 3-point arc, Burch made 5-of-22 for 22.7 percent shooting.
From the charity stripe, Burch made only 17-of-31 free throws for 55 percent shooting.
The Tigers were led by Mahon with 17 points, while Cory Daniels poured in 14, Corey Lester scored six, Nathaniel Mitchell netted four, Chaz Clusky and Thomas Simpkins dumped in two each and Grant Charles scored a foul shot.
The Tigers made 16 field goals, including two 3-pointers, both of which were made by Daniels. From the foul line, Matewan sank 12-of-13 free throws for 92 percent foul shooting.
"We didn't roll over and quit," Matewan Coach Phillip Mitchell said. "But, we're the kinds of turnovers. Once we cut down on those, we can play with anybody. Corey Lester and Cory Daniels played well."
The Bulldogs improved to 6-2 with the win and will play at Man on Thursday. Matewan fell to 1-7 with the loss and will play at Gilbert tomorrow night.
GIRLS — Burch 67, Matewan 8
DELBARTON — The Burch Lady Bulldogs outscored Matewan 56-2 over three quarters to get a 67-8 win last night in Delbarton.
The Lady Bulldogs held the Lady Tigers scoreless in the second and third quarters and allowed Matewan to score only six points in the final stanza.
Burch was led by Kim Smith with 18 points, three steals, three assists and one rebound.
Haley Church scored 13 points, grabbed four rebounds, gave an assist and got a steal. Bri Smith scored nine points, grabbed four rebounds, gave two assists and got a steal.
Stephanie Brock scored eight, got seven steals, gave three assists and got a steal. Brittany Stumbo scored four points, grabbed four rebounds and gave an assist. Cayla Hatfield scored four points, gave three assists and got two steals.
Brittany Maynard scored three points, grabbed four rebounds and gave an assist. Kaitlyn Lester poured in two points, grabbed a pair of rebounds and two steals and dished off an assist.
Hilary Church scored two points, grabbed two rebounds, gave an assist and got a steal.
Miranda Evans scored two points and got two rebounds. Kayla Cisco reeled in four rebounds.
Shiley Mahon, Whitney Horton, Jena Bandy and Courtney Lester each scored two for Matewan.
The Lady Bulldogs will host Sherman on Friday.
Tug Valley 55, Sherman 43
NAUGATUCK — The Tug Valley Lady Panthers got a big win last night over visiting Sherman, 55-43, at Naugatuck.
Tabby Mounts led the way with 16 points, five steals and four rebounds. Elizabeth Evans scored 11 points and got five steals. Desrae Vance netted 10 points, Whitney Evans scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds, Courtney Southerns scored four and got four rebounds, Hailee Ward dumped in three points and Paige Runyon finished with two points and four rebounds.
Sherman was led by Madison Bowman with 16 points, while Megan Williams netted 13, Jessica Hudson scored eight, Crystal Halstead added five and Hallie Jarrell finished with a foul shot.
"We started good, then got a little lazy and made several what I call crazy-lazy fouls and got in some foul trouble in the second quarter," Tug Coach Okey Smith said. "We came out the second half and applied some pressure and built a little lead and then held on in the fourth quarter for the win. We will have to play better if we expect to compete with the teams in our section."
With the win, Tug Valley improves to 4-5 on the season. The Lady Panthers' next game is Thursday at home against Chapmanville.
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