Mt. Pleasant boys cool down in second half.

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Mt. Pleasant boys put a scare into Cedar Rapids Xavier in the basketball season opener Tuesday.

However, the Saints were not easily frightened and had too much firepower in the second half. The Saints exploded the keg of powder as the Panthers fell 51-39.

Mt. Pleasant trailed 6-5 after one quarter and 16-15 at halftime despite holding leads in both periods.

Xavier opened up a double-digit lead in the third quarter, leading 39-25 going into the fourth quarter. Mt. Pleasant was never able to get the deficit back within 10 points.

Chase Williamson led the Panthers with 10 points, eight of which came in the first half. Owen Vansickel scored nine. Dewon Trent scored eight. Sam Jerrel finished with five. Brevin Wilson had four, and Dylon Hagans scored three.

The Panthers are 0-1 after the nonconference game. They will start Southeast Conference play when they host Fort Madison Friday.