Mt. Pleasant boys hang on

BURLINGTON - It wasn't easy, but the Mt. Pleasant boys basketball team finished off the season sweep of Burlington on Friday night, clinging on in the fourth for a 49-46 win over their newest Southeast Conference rivals.

The Panthers had to battle back after a slow start. Burlington led 14-5 after the first quarter but Mt. Pleasant dominated the second period 23-3 to take a 28-17 advantage into halftime.

After splitting the third quarter 9-9, the Grayhounds put together a run in the fourth quarter. Burlington scored 20 points in the final eight minutes, their best output of the night, but Mt. Pleasant still walked out with a three-point win.

Brody Bender led the way with 14 points for the Panthers. Clayton Lowery and Jaxon Hoyle scored 13 points apiece. Keegan Kohorst finished with four points and six assists. Jack Johnson had three points, and Brevin Wilson had two.

Mt. Pleasant is now 10-8 overall and 5-4 in the SEC. They'll play at Ottumwa tonight (Monday).