Panthers survive 2OT clash

BURLINGTON - The Mt. Pleasant boys had to battle to the very last second on Tuesday night in Burlington. The Panthers, facing former head coach Caleb Akey and a talented Burlington squad, picked up one of their biggest wins, taking the contest 88-80 in double-overtime.

The game was a nail-biter throughout. Burlington led 15-14 after the opening quarter, and Mt. Pleasant held a 32-30 halftime advantage, and led 50-44 after three quarters.

The Panthers trailed 64-63 with just over one minute to go in the first overtime, when Owen Vansickel nailed a corner 3-pointer give Mt. Pleasant a two-point lead. The Grayhounds scored on the other end to tie it at 66-66, and both teams missed potential game-winners to send the game into overtime.

The Panthers held a three-point lead at the end of the first overtime, leading 76-73, but Burlington's Michael Alexander launched a deep fadeaway 3-pointer at the buzzer, which banked in to forced the second overtime with the score knotted up, 76-76.

The Panthers didn't let emotion get the best of them. Mt. Pleasant controlled the second overtime, winning it 12-4.

Dewon Trent had a monster night to lead the Panthers. He scored a career-high 27. Brevin Wilson scored 22 points, 15 of which came after halftime.

Sam Jerrel finished the night with 13 points. Chase Williamson had nine. Owen Vansickel scored six. Cooper Pullis and Dylon Hagans had four points apiece, and Jack Johnson finished with three.

Mt. Pleasant is now 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the Southeast Conference. The Panthers will have a couple of weeks before they take on No. 10 (1A) New London in a home doubleheader on January 4.