The Central Junior High Mustangs looked poised to punch a ticket to Thursday’s third-place game of the Warhawk Invitational, but a fourth quarter barrage by the Ottawa instead put Central into tomorrow’s seventh-place showdown as the Cyclones prevailed, 74-61.

The Mustangs held on to a slight lead through the first three quarters, 49-46. But turnovers doomed Central as Ottawa took over in the fourth quarter and outscored the Mustangs 28-12.

The fourth quarter outburst was fueled by a 10-0 Cyclone run that Central never recovered from.

For the game, Central’s Bo Schneider once again stepped up for his team with 18 points. C.J. McTizic added 12 points for Central, 11 of which came in the first half.

Matthew Ruder chipped in eight points in the losing effort.

The loss puts Central into Thursday’s seventh-place game against Shawnee Mission South.