WEST ORANGE – They battled defending Class 4A Silsbee all the way to the final horn but the West Orange-Stark Mustangs dropped a 107-80 District 22-4A decision to the Tigers at Mustang Gym Friday night.

The Mustangs (9-7, 0-1) entered the contest short-handed, suiting up just seven players against the explosive Tigers (10-4, 2-0).

However, the Mustangs got off to a superb start to lead 29-24 at the end of the first quarter as Nakai Arnold and Terron Brown combined for 24 points with Arnold scoring 14 and Brown 10.

Then the Tigers put together one of their patented runs they are known for behind the likes of All-Staters Devon McCain and Jordyn Adams.

The Tigers went on a 31-18 spurt in the second quarter to snare a 55-47 edge and then went on a 26-12 surge in the third period to go up 81-59 heading to the fourth.

McCain led a balanced Tiger arsenal with 22 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Adams finished with 19 points and six boards.

Chris Martin had 19 points and five rebounds for Silsbee while Landyn Tyler contributed 18 points and six rebounds.

Guard Braelon Bush had nine points for the Tigers while K’Drian Cartwright added eight.

Brown, despite being saddled with foul trouble, tallied a game-high 27 points for the Mustangs to go along with five rebounds.

Mustang B’Jan Arvie had a superb all-around performance with a huge double-double as he bruised his way to 19 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Arnold finished with 16 points while guards Brettlin White and Terry Harris added seven points apiece.

Despite such a wide-open pace, both teams protected the ball well. WO-S, despite battling fatigue, only had 14 turnovers while the Tigers had just 10.

Silsbee finished with a 38-30 rebounding edge.

The Tigers finished 27-of-36 from the free-throw line while the Mustangs were a solid 23-of-29.

The Mustangs will be in the East Chambers Tournament next Thursday through Saturday and will return to 22-4A play Jan. 4 at Hamshire-Fannett.