Scoring struggles plague Panthers against Chiefs

MT. PLEASANT — Mt. Pleasant girls basketball struggled to find an offensive rhythm on Friday night against Keokuk.

The Panthers never eclipsed more than nine points in any quarter during the Southeast Conference clash with the Chiefs, falling 54-26.

Through the first half, the Panthers kept it within single digits, but couldn’t get an edge.

Keokuk led by just six after one quarter, 12-6. Three points is all that separated the two squads in second period scoring, but the Chiefs went into the half up 23-14.

It only got tougher for the Panthers in the second half. In the third quarter, both teams posted their lowest point totals of the night, but the Panthers scored just three points to the Chiefs 10 to make it 33-17 after three.

Meanwhile, in the fourth each squad put up its highest point total, but Keokuk nearly topped its first half numbers closing with 21 points in the final quarter. The Panthers scored nine in the frame.

In her first game back from injury, Abby Carthey led the Panthers with eight points.

With the loss, Mt. Pleasant drops to 1-8 on the season and 0-4 in conference action.