LITTLE CYPRESS — The Bridge City Cardinals opened their District 24-4A slate with some flair Tuesday night, going to Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School and stunning the Bears 50-47 at The Bear Cave.

The Cardinals (1-0 in 24-4A play), were as down as many as nine points to start the third quarter but used a 16-6 spurt to go up on the Bears (1-1) 40-39 heading to the fourth quarter.

LC-M grabbed a 41-40 lead to start the fourth quarter but Cardinal guard Ryan Mirabella ripped a three-point shot to put the Cardinals up 43-41 with 6:50 remaining.

The game was tight the rest of the way but the Cardinals were able to hold on.

Mirabella scored eight of his team-high 15 points in the final period.

Justin Romero had 10 points and five rebounds for the Cardinals. Graydon Glover chimed in with 10 points while Hunter Wiegreffe added eight.

Post Katon Brown led the LC-M attack with 17 points and eight rebounds. Ayson Simmons filtered in 16 points to go along with seven boards. Ja’Colven Provost scored seven points and grabbed three rebounds, all in the second quarter while Andrew Daspit added five rebounds.

BC led 15-13 at the end of the first period. The Bears then went on a 18-9 tear in the second quarter with Simmons and Provost combining for seven points apiece as the Bears led 31-24 at intermission.

The Bears finished with a 25-21 rebounding edge. Both squads had 14 turnovers.

Bridge City was 13-of-21 from the free-throw line while LC_M went 7-of-9.

Bridge City will host Silsbee Friday. LC-M is off Friday and will venture to Silsbee next Tuesday.