A few seconds into the third quarter Friday the Perry boys tied their Raccoon River Conference contest with visiting Carroll at 26-all.
A few minutes later and the Bluejays found themselves facing a 37-28 deficit. And a few minutes after that, the gulf had widened to 53-37, as the Tigers rattled off a 37-21 period to open a 63-41 advantage en route to a 78-60 victory.
Perry (1-1, 0-1) led only once, at 9-8, late in the first quarter. The hosts spent most of the second period trailing by eight points, but the Jays slowly fought back, climbing to within 26-25 at the break.
Then came a wild third quarter, in which the Tigers hit nearly everything they threw at the basket while the Bluejays struggled to find open shots against a Carroll defense that troubled the hosts throughout the contest.
By the time the third eight-minute frame had ended the issue had been decided, and although the Jays outscored the opposition down the stretch it was not nearly enough to reverse the outcome.
Carroll drained eight 3-pointers and finished 20-of-26 at the free throw line while Perry sank five triples and ended the game 9-of-13 at the line.
Drew Levan led all scorers with by far his most prolific varsity outing for Perry, as the senior knocked down three 3-pointers to help produce a 22-point effort. Connor Nielsen provided 14 points and Rashon Ivory 12, with Brandon Kenyon scoring four points, Tanner Duffy and Reece Dunlap three apiece and Brendan Ivory two.
Colby Vincent scored 19 of his team-high 21 points for Carroll in the second half, with Buomkuoth Lol adding 15 points, Cooper Ross 13 and Justin Mohr 12.
Perry plays twice next week with a visit to DC-G Tuesday followed by a home contest Friday when Carlisle visits.
