Panthers edge Crusaders on the road

FORT MADISON — Mt. Pleasant girls basketball bounced back on Tuesday night to pick up their sixth victory of the season.

After a tough loss to Fort Madison on Friday night, the Panthers hit the road to face another Fort Madison foe, this time in the form of the Crusaders of Holy Trinity Catholic.

Through two quarters of action on Monday night, the Panthers and Crusaders traded blows back and forth.

After one quarter, the Panthers held just a one-point lead, 11-10.

In the second, Mt. Pleasant was able to create some space, putting together what would be their best scoring quarter of the night, dropping in 12 points and holding the Crusaders to just seven.

At the break, the Panthers led 23-17.

In the second half, both teams struggled to put the ball in the basket, but Mt. Pleasant hunkered down on the defensive end.

Mt. Pleasant scored just five points in the third quarter, but defensively Panthers gave up just two to the Crusaders.

Heading into the final quarter of the night, Mt. Pleasant led 28-19.

Holy Trinity outscored the Panthers 7-6 in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough as the Panthers held on.

Andrea Lopreato and Tristian Shull each finished with 10 points in the win. Lopreato also grabbed 12 boards. Andi Scott added nine points. Hailey Parrott had four and Kate Schimmelpfennig had one.

Mt. Pleasant (3-2, 6-7) will take on Fairfield (2-4, 2-9) on Friday in their next contest.