Second half propels Panthers

FAIRFIELD - It looked like the Mt. Pleasant-Fairfield basketball rivalry could see another nail-biter, but a big Panther push in the final two quarters helped Mt. Pleasant run away with a 70-56 win on Friday night.

The Panthers led 13-10 after one quarter, but Fairfield cut that lead to just two points, at 26-24, before the half. Mt. Pleasant came out firing in the final two quarters, outscoring Fairfield 20-15 in the third and 24-17 in the fourth.

Sam Jerrel hit four 3-pointers en route to a 20-point night for Mt. Pleasant. Dewon Trent and Brevin Wilson scored 16 points apiece. Jack Johnson had 12 points, and Chase Williamson finished with six.

Max Weaton led the Trojans with 23 points. Tate Allen finished with 13, including four 3-pointers. Evan Haines had nine. J.J. Lane scored seven, and both Isaac Harris and Myles McEntee had two.

Friday night was the opposite result from Thursday, where Fairfield picked up a dominant 61-40 win over Davis County on another 20-point night from Weaton, while Mt. Pleasant fell 61-45 against former head coach Caleb Akey and the Burlington Grayhounds.

Mt. Pleasant is now 12-9, and finished 5-5 in the Southeast Conference. The Panthers will host No. 6 (3A) Pella on Tuesday night. The Trojans (5-11, 2-7) have their final SEC game at Keokuk on Tuesday as well.