Cardinal tops Maharishi School for first ?W?

ELDON ? The Cardinal boys? basketball team nabbed 17 steals in its home opener Tuesday, coming back from a first-quarter deficit to top Maharishi School 56-35 in Eldon.

Comet senior Jonathan Pedersen led the comeback effort with 16 points on 5 of 12 shooting and three steals. Junior teammate Charlie Rachford scored 13 points to go with five steals and two blocks; and Dakota Showman had six points, eight assists and another five steals.

Other starters Nathan Yeager and Cody Carter scored nine and seven points for the Comets, who won their first victory of the young season.

The Comets opened the game on a 6-2 run, but the Pioneers rallied back and took an 11-7 advantage into the second quarter ? their first lead of the season.

Cardinal quickly tied the game at 11-all on its way to putting together its stronger quarter of the game. The Comets scored 23 points in the quarter and led 30-20 at halftime.

The Pioneers opened the third quarter with two quick baskets to cut the lead to 30-24, but a six-point deficit is as close as they came in the second half. Cardinal held the Pioneers to nine points in the third and then outscored Maharishi School 16-9 in the final period.

Stat leaders for the Pioneers were Surya Sawhney with 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Rashan Anderson with eight points. Avery Mulleneaux had an overall strong game with five points, four rebounds and four blocked shots, which was part of a season-high nine blocked shots for the team.

The Pioneers (0-3) will play Wednesday in a non-conference game against Scattergood. Cardinal (1-2) is set to host New London on Friday.