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BENTON HARBOR — For three quarter, despite the loss of one of its leading scorers to ejection in the opening eight minutes of play, No. 7-ranked (Division 3) Brandywine stayed with No. 5-ranked (Division 2) host Benton Harbor.

But in the fourth quarter, the Bobcats were unable to match the Tigers’ intensity as undefeated (11-0) Benton Harbor exploded for 22 points on its way to a 72-59 Lakeland Conference boys basketball victory Tuesday night.

The win kept the Tigers (4-0) atop the league standings. Brandywine drops to 9-2 overall and 3-1 in Lakeland action.

Benton Harbor took the early 18-14 volatile opening quarter, which say Palmer and the Tigers’ Mustpha Muhammad both get ejected following a scuffle.

The Bobcats kept within striking distance of the Tigers as they trailed 33-27 at halftime. Brandywine was able to maintain the six-point deficit as both teams scored 17 points in the third quarter.

Josiah King had a game-high 30 points and 13 rebounds to lead Benton Harbor. Antwan Callahan added 24 points and 11 rebounds.

Byron Linley led the Bobcats with 18 points, while Jamier Palmer finished with 17.

Brandywine is scheduled to face Schoolcraft on Saturday, weather permitting. If that game is postponed by the forecasted winter storm, the Bobcats are back in action Monday against Watervliet.