Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Pleasant Home took control after halftime and downed Kinston for a 71-55 win in the 1A Area 2 Boys Tournament semi-finals at Florala on Saturday, Feb. 1.

The Eagles moved to 15-3 on the season with the win, while the Bulldogs closed the year with a record of 6-18.

Both teams were locked in a close battle during the opening period. Dillan Purifoy scored nine points in the frame and went two-for-four from the foul line. Brody Bryan and John Luke Colvin each posted four points, while Jackson Hawkins contributed two. Jon Simmons had 15 points for Kinston and made three three-pointers, but Pleasant Home took a 17-15 lead after one.

Purifoy matched his first-period output with nine more points in the second and added three free throws. Colvin followed suit and scored two additional baskets, while Devontae Purifoy drained a three. Bryan rounded out the effort with two points. Tucker Marler and Colby Tew both grabbed four points as Simmons notched two. The Eagles extended their lead to 37-27 at the break.

Colvin was on fire in the third period with a trifecta of threes. Bryan also hit from long range and finished with eight points in the frame. Tew scored five as Marler followed with four. J.D. Hart and Stanley also found the hoop for Kinston, but Pleasant Home continued its offensive surge and led 57-40 after three.

Simmons went two-for-two at the foul line and banked a three in the final period. Judson Green and Stanley blitzed the net from beyond the arc, while Tew and Whitt Floyd also scored for the Bulldogs. Dillan Purifoy dazzled with eight points down the stretch. Bryan tallied four and Colvin scored two as the Eagles moved on.

Dillan Purifoy earned a team-high 26 points for Pleasant Home. Colvin and Bryan were next with 19 and 18, respectively. Simmons led Kinston with 22 points as Tew also earned double digits at 11.

The Eagles will meet Florala in the area championship game on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m.