EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The Tigers started with a bang Feb. 16, when they hosted North Platte in varsity girls basketball. They ended with a whimper, falling 51-19. Senior Mallory Millsap drained a three-point bucket to start the scoring. They were the only first-quarter points Excelsior Springs scored. The Panthers answered Millsap’s trey with 20 first-quarter points. And their full-court press created trouble for the Tigers, who struggled to get the ball across the center line consistently, allowing North Platte to score transition points throughout the opening quarter. Excelsior Springs’ scoring drought ended with 7 minutes, 2 seconds left in the second quarter on a two point bucket by Millsap. The Tigers outscored the Panthers 8-6 for the quarter to trail 26-11 at halftime. North Platte rebounded with a 14-3 third quarter to lead 40-15 entering the fourth quarter. The Panthers outscored the Tigers 11-4 the final quarter. Millsap’s five first-half points were enough to lead the…