MOSS BLUFF — Iowa shook off a sluggish start and dominated the third quarter in route to an 83-32 win over DeRidder in the opening round of the First Response Electric Bronco Classic at Sam Houston High School.

The Yellow Jackets (8-2) scored the final seven points of the first half to go into the break with a 40-25 lead.

Iowa then scored the first 11 points of the third quarter — the first nine by guard Desamonte Gradney — to take control of the game. Dashawn Ceaser capped the run with a basket off a nice pass from forward Curtis Deville.

“We just came out for the second half with a different attitude, we were ready to play,” Iowa head coach Robert Melanson said. “At the start, we were a little sluggish coming back from the Christmas break.”

Gradney energized the Jackets after the break, opening the third quarter with a steal and layup followed by a pair of fast break baskets. He capped the personal outburst with a three-point play.

“We went with four guards along with Curtis to start the third quarter and they turned on the heat for the first three or four minutes,” Melanson said.

Eleven different Iowa players scored in the game.

“Everybody is getting playing time, we dress 12 guys and 11 are playing in just about every ball game,” Melanson said.

“The one that’s not is the only freshman we dress. Dashawn is getting better and Donovan Winey has done a good job for us. We can adjust our lineup based on who we are playing. We want to play up-tempo, play hard and get after people.”

Landon Langley led the Yellow Jackets with 17 points. Gradney finished with 16 and Ceaser added 10.

Semont Fairley led DeRidder with 18 points. Brycen Rhodes added 11, including the first nine of the game for the Dragons, who were within six points after the first quarter and within single digits for most of the first half.