The No. 1-ranked Cardinals turned in another defensive gem Saturday afternoon in a 78-46 blowout of Tyler Junior College in a Region XIV Conference clash of Highway 31 rivals at Cardinal Gym.

With the win, the Cardinals improved to 10-0 overall, which matches the best start in the last 15 seasons, and 2-0 in conference. Tyler, averaging 88.4 points per game coming into the game, slipped to 7-3 and 1-1 marks.

The Cardinals have two games remaining this week before the holiday break. They are at home Wednesday against Angelina at 7 p.m. and on the road Saturday against No. 4 Panola in a 4 p.m. start.

Tyler hit a three-pointer on its first possession for a quick 3-0.  The Apaches did not score again until the 11:23 mark of the first half.

Fortunately, for the Apaches, the Cardinals started slowly on the offensive end. The Cardinals led 26-20 at the half.

In the second half, the offense caught up with the defensive effort, which suffocated the life out of the Apaches, and the Cardinals ran off and hid. The Cardinals held Tyler to nine points in the opening eight minutes of the second half.

Cameron Williams, who had just one point in the first half, finished with 12 to lead the Cardinals.

Zati Loubaki had 11 for the Cardinals and Charles Outlaw, who scored the Cardinals' first six points, had 10.

Mouhamed Mbaye just missed twin figures with nine points. M.J. Marlow, Tyler Smith and Garrett Nuckolls added eight each.