KNOXVILLE- The Tellico Plains High Bears were not in the holiday giving spirit as their stingy defense held Berean Christian School to only 33 points in Knoxville on Dec. 18.
The Bears only scored 36 points themselves in the defensive struggle.

Bears head coach Shawn Yates knows its tough to win on the road, and even though this one wasn't pretty he'll gladly take the win. The Bears got their eighth win of the season behind Devin Collier, 13 points, Robert Vandervort, 11, Dakota Rinehardt, 7, Dakota Stone, 2, Ryan Bookout, 2 and Bryce Choate, 1 point, respectively.

The Bears trailed 9 to 8 after the first quarter and 13 to 9 at halftime.
The Bears outscored Berean by two points in the third period to set the stage for a fourth-quarter comeback, as the Bears outscored Berean by five points in the fourth to take the tight win.
Collier was a bear on the boards, yanking down 12 rebounds, including 6 offensive rebounds.

Tyler Peeler was tough on the boards as well, pulling down 8 rebounds on the night.
The Bears are now 8-5 and 3-3 in a tough district. Close wins like this one can build a team's character as the season goes on. They'll need to keep winning the close ones as there is a log jam at the top of the district. If the Bears play like this often, they could be at the top at season's
end.