The Livingston Cougars dealt Demopolis their worst defeat of the season Friday in boys’ basketball action, winning 72-48 at home.

The Cougars jumped out to a 20-13 lead after the first quarter and after leading by as many as 15 in the second, led 35-25 at halftime.

The lead was never seriously threatened as the Cougars repeatedly broke the Demopolis full-court press for easy baskets, going up 55-37 after three quarters and pulling even further away in the fourth.

Jeremy Yates led the Cougars with 24 points, followed by Roland Fitch with 13, Montrell Farmer with 8, Lamarcus Bell with 7,

James Bell with 6, Brock Williams and Ronald James with 4, and Tavaris Gholston and Tony Harris with 3.

Casey Cantey had 18 for Demopolis in the losing effort. Dontrell Miller scored 9, Willie Blount and MacArthur Johnson 8, Willie Gracey 3, and Patrick Robertson 2.

The loss drops Demopolis into a second-place tie with Livingston at 4-2 in the area. Both teams play area leader Greene County next week: Demopolis Monday night at home and Livingston Friday in Eutaw.

The Demopolis girls won their fifth straight area game by defeating Livingston Friday, improving their area record to 5-1.