Indians top Vikings, 72-59 (SLIDESHOW, VIDEO)

FORT WALTON BEACH – Friday night’s District 2-6A matchup between bitter cross-town rivals Choctawhatchee and Fort Walton Beach looked the way rivalry games often do.

It was fast, physical and competitive.

View an action photo slideshow from the game »

The Choctaw Indians came into the Vikings’ gym tied for first-place in the district, and after defeating the Vikings on their home floor 72-59 they left as such.

The physical contest went exactly the way Fort Walton Beach could’ve hoped for three quarters as they stuck to their game plan and tried to slow the breakneck pace the Indians have become known for.

Choctaw (16-5, 6-1) led by just six heading into the final quarter, but exploded in the final period, finally turning the game into the track meet they prefer.

The Indians stretched their lead to as large as 19 in the final quarter with 2:20 to go following a quick 10-1 run.

Bryan Baker came alive, scoring 12 of his game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter including knocking down two 3-pointers to help the Indians gain some momentum. Jonathan Brassell added nine points for Choctaw and Anthony Hawthorne played well all night, having no trouble getting to the hoop and being disruptive on the defensive end. He finished with 13 points.

The Vikings (9-12, 2-5) were led by Allen Wallace, who spread 17 points out evenly through all four quarters. Rece Drake, the Vikings’ offensive leader this season, was the Indians’ primary focus on defense. He threw his big frame around and went 13 of 15 from the foul line and finished with 16 points on the game.

Follow Pat Flynn on Twitter: @PatFnwfdn