Panther boys downed in Keokuk

KEOKUK - The Mt. Pleasant boys couldn't get the engines going against an athletic Keokuk squad on Friday night. The Chiefs jumped out to an early lead, and Mt. Pleasant couldn't recover in a 61-50 loss.

Keokuk outscord Mt. Pleasant by five points each in the first and second periods. The Chiefs led 16-11 after one quarter and 32-22 at the half.

Mt. Pleasant's best quarter was the third, where they would outscore Keokuk 14-12 to cut the lead to eight, at 44-36 heading into the fourth.

Keokuk scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs' highest total all day, to pull away with a victory, and hand the Panthers their first conference loss of the young esason.

Brevin Wilson led Mt. Pleasant with 16 points in the loss. Sam Jerrell chipped in 11 poitns and a team-leading five rebounds. Owen Vansickel scored 11 points. Dylon Hagans had seven. Chase Williamson and Cooper Pullis scored two points apiece, and Jack Johnson finished with one point and four assists.

With the loss, Mt. Pleasant fell to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play. They will host Benton Community tonight in the second half of a girl-boy nonconference doubleheader. Keokuk is now 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the SEC.