Panthers fall short to Bulldogs

OTTUMWA — Mt. Pleasant has been playing very well as the end of the regular season draws nearer. The Panthers had won four straight, but have now dropped their last two, first to Burlington and on Monday night on the road at Ottumwa.

The good thing for Mt. Pleasant is that they’ve been on the cusp of victory numerous times, and against Ottumwa it was the same. The Bulldogs were able to edge the Panthers 47-45.

It was a true back and forth battle as both team traded quarter after quarter.

Mt. Pleasant struggled to find its footing in the first, scoring just four point to Ottumwa’s 12. The Panther’s turned it around in the second with 13-6 quarter trailing by just one at the halftime whistle, 13-6.

In the third Ottumwa reversed the second quarter totals in its favor, winning the quarter 13-6. The Bulldogs led 31-23 heading into the fourth.

Both teams turned it on in the fourth, putting together their best scoring quarter, but for the Panthers it wasn’t enough. Despite putting together a 22-16 quarter, Mt. Pleasant ran out of time and fell just two points short.

Dewon Trent led the Panthers with 15 points. Aaiden Ashton had 12. Payton Hagans finished with 10. Dylon Hagans scored four. Owen Vansickel had three, and Carter Amos chipped in one.

The Panthers will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 11 when they host Fairfield in a Southeast Conference matchup.