Mt. Pleasant girls get first win

FORT MADISON - They had to work till the bitter end, but the Mt. Pleasant girls basketball team was able to pick up its first win of the season in the Panthers' Southeast Conference opener in Fort Madison on Friday night. The Panthers outlasted the Bloodhounds 62-61 in overtime.

The Panthers got off to a slow start. Fort Madison led 15-9 after the first quarter and 30-26 at halftime, but the Panthers stepped up their defense in the third quarter to take a 43-39 lead into the fourth.

Mt. Pleasant had a two-point lead in the final 20 seconds but the Bloodhounds tied the game on two free throws to make it 55-55. After a Panther turnover on the next possession, Fort Madison heaved one at the basket to win but the ball bricked off the backboard and the two teams headed to overtime.

Emma Huckabone hit a midrange shot to being overtime, and the Panthers never trailed again. Fort Madison eventually cut the lead back to one, and had a couple of chances to win the game late, but Mt. Pleasant hung on to get into the winner's circle.

Andrea Lopreato had a huge night, putting up 24 points and 18 rebounds in the win. Huckabone had 17 points. Tristan Shull finished with 14 points and five assists. Kenna Lamm scored four. Emma Rugg had two, and Karsyn Lamm had one.

The Panther girls fell 73-43 at West Burlington the next night. Lopreato had another big game, with 18. Huckabone had 13, and Shull finished with 10.

Mt. Pleasant is now 1-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Panthers will host Ottumwa on Tuesday night.