TULLY — Drew Hind scored 17 points, dished out eight assists and had three steals, and Randolph held on for a 49-45 victory over Herkimer in the opening round of the Tully Christmas Tournament on Thursday.

The Cardinals (6-0), the top-ranked Class C team in the state, led by as many as 18 points in the third quarter, but the Magicians (5-1) — ranked No. 18 in the Class B state poll — chipped away and closed the gap to 48-45 with 3.9 seconds remaining in the game.

But Cooper Freeman connected on one of two free throws to secure the win and advance to today’s 6:30 p.m. title game against host Tully.

“It was a good win and a good test for us,” Randolph coach Kevin Hind said.

Kevin McElwain chipped in 13 points and Broden Brooks added 9 for the winners.

“It was very good for Broden’s confidence,” Coach Hind said of Brooks’ three 3-pointers. “He got some open looks and Drew found him.”

Leading the way for Herkimer were Zack Petucci with 18 points and Kyle Carney with 16.

RANDOLPH (49)

Morrison 1 1 3, Kelly 2 0 6, Hind 7 2 17, McElwain 5 0 13, Freeman 0 1 1, Broden Brooks 3 0 9, Nelson 0 0 0, Totals 18 4 49.

HERKIMER (45)

Allen 1 0 2, Petucci 5 8 18, Pace 1 0 2, Saunders 1 0 3, Mallel 1 2 4, Carney 5 4 16, Totals 14 14 45 .

3-point goals — Kelly 2, Hind, McElwain 3, Brooks 3, Saunders, Carney 2.

Randolph 10 21 10 8 — 49

Herkimer 8 11 11 15 — 45

BEARS TOP BULLDOGS IN TOURNEY

FREWSBURG — Frewsburg boys basketball coach Rob Collver put an emphasis on rebounding during practice this week.

Kael Collver, Blake Weaver and Kenton Dahlin took notice.

Coach Collver didn’t have to preach offense, though.

Gavin Smith and Garrett Brink took care of that.

Led by that quintet, the Bears defeated Brocton 75-54 in the opening round of the Frewsburg Holiday Tournament on Thursday night.

Smith poured in 34 points and collected seven steals; Brink scored 18 points and dished out nine assists; Kael Collver pulled down 16 rebounds; and Weaver and Dahlin grabbed 9 boards apiece to pace the winners, who will meet Hutch Tech in the title game at 8 p.m. today.

Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Michael Garcia, who scored 28 points.

BROCTON (54)

Gustafson 1 0 2, Lundin 0 0 0, Miller 3 0 7, Garcia 10 5 28, McIntyre 3 3 9, Weisner 3 2 8, Cruz 0 0 0, Limpert 0 0 0, Totals 20 10 54.

FREWSBURG (75)

Sheesley 0 0 0, Brink 6 5 18, Smith 12 5 34, Weaver 1 1 3, Dahlin 2 0 4, LeBaron 0 0 0, Eckman 0 0 0, Sanfilippo 1 0 2, Fontaine 2 0 5, Collver 4 1 9, Totals 28 12 75.

3-point goals — Miller, Garcia 3, Brink, Smith 5, Fontaine.

Brocton 12 6 19 17 — 54

Frewsburg 19 14 20 22 — 75