When Yorkville Christian’s defense is clicking, the Mustangs can run past teams.

During their opening game in the 62nd annual Plano Christmas Classic, the Mustangs got a running clock against Morris during the fourth quarter of Friday afternoon’s 59-37 victory.

Yorkville Christian (8-2) advances to face the winner of Mendota/Hinckley-Big Rock on Saturday at 7 p.m. Morris (1-5) will resume at 12:30 against the loser of Mendota/Hinckley-Big Rock.

“They hit some threes early and we weren’t anticipating that,” Mustangs coach Aaron Sovern said. “But they are so well coached. When that was our draw in the first round I was like ‘Aw gosh,’ because he (coach Joe Blumberg) does such a nice job with them. They run nice stuff and they guard, so in another respect it’s a great first game because it keeps us locked in. We didn’t come out as crisp as we needed to and they kind of hit us in the mouth and we went back and forth in first quarter.”

Baylen Lee’s layup got Morris to within 16-15 to close out the opening quarter, but Morris wouldn’t get any closer.

A couple of free throws from Tray Alford completed a 7-0 run from the Mustangs that saw them begin to pull away in the second quarter, leading 30-18 with 3:10 remaining in the first half.

After enjoying a 36-22 advantage at halftime, the Mustangs opened the second half with a 3-pointer from Jordan Purvis followed by a steal and a layup from Alford to pull ahead 41-22 just 31 seconds into the second half.

“I liked how we came out in the third quarter and asserted dominance right away,” Sovern said. “The defense got it going and that’s what we always preach - your defense is going to create your offense and that proved true for those guys. Jayden Riley (13 points, eight assists) drives the bus for us and gets the ball where it needs to be, and also freshman Jayden Alford (five points, four rebounds) came off their bench and drew some fouls and caused some havoc, which is his job, so a shoutout to them for sure.”

Tray Alford led the Mustangs with 16 points. He added 5 assists and 4 steals.

“One thing I like to tell all my teammates, and all my guys, is we got to turn our defense into offense,” Tray Alford said. “When one turns up, we all turn up and it’s tough to stop. We’ve got to keep playing like that. Hopefully we’re ready now for the tournament and hopefully we can get the ship.”

A better start will certainly help their chances.

“I think we should’ve come out stronger with a lot more energy,” Alford said. “We’ve had a couple games with a slow start and then just pick it back up. Tomorrow we got to come out ready to go.”

Purvis scored 11 points and helped a defensive effort that forced 26 turnovers, while the Mustangs took care of the ball, limiting their turnovers to 7.

“Defense just starts from care, and I think we all care,” Purvis said. “We all want to win so if everybody gets each other going, and we’re all getting hyped on the bench and that energy, it really helps a lot. And the passes on offense. They always thread the needle, always getting tough passes to me. and I just got to make them look good since they make me look good.”

RJ Kennedy and Caden Medler led Morris with eight points apiece. Lee added seven points and Landon Norris had six.