LITTLE CYPRESS – The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears took down the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns in a defensive battle at the Grove Friday night, notching an important 38-34 District 22-4A win to wrap up the first half of district play.

Jesse Doucette pumped in 16 points to lead the Bears (15-12, 4-2).

Jackson Smith had six points and made a huge defensive play near the end of the game by drawing a charge on the Longhorns (18-10, 1-5).

The Bears, who are alone in third-place in the 22-4A standings, two games ahead of WO-S (13-15, 2-4) and Lumberton (19-9, 2-4), will visit second-place Hardin-Jefferson (20-9, 5-1) Tuesday.