March 29, 2024

PCM boys’ losing streak pushed to four games

MONROE — Adversity has hit Prairie City-Monroe’s boys basketball team. After starting the season off with a 10-game win streak, the Mustangs have lost four straight. Roland-Story added to the Mustang woes with a victory on the PCM home floor, 51-45, Friday night.

PCM could not contain R-S senior Zach Hovick, who dropped 25 points and eight rebounds on the Mustangs. Hovick led an early-game charge, which the Norsemen were able to hold on to after a late Mustangs rally.

The Mustangs struggled to get out of the gate. R-S brought a zone defense that stifled the PCM offense. Passing lanes were not open for PCM to move the ball around, and the Mustangs had trouble finding good shots early on. On the other end, R-S pushed the ball inside, but when there wasn’t enough room to go up, Norsemen senior Ben Clark was able to hit open 3-pointers.

After a 17-4 run to start the game by R-S. PCM senior Dillon Bruxvoort tried to get the momentum moving in the Mustangs’ favor. He took the ball into the post and hit a jumper from the elbow. On the next time down, Bruxvoort penetrated into the lane and sunk another shot. Despite his efforts, the Mustangs trailed, 20-8, going into the second quarter.

PCM changed up its defense in the second period, opting for more man-to-man pressure. It seemed to do the trick, as Roland-Story began to stubble. Bruxvoort stayed aggressive on offense, hitting two more jumpers in the lane, and PCM trailed by just seven points going into halftime.

Trey Lindsay knocked down a 3-pointer to get things going early in the second half, and the Mustangs forced three straight turnovers to close the gap even more. Heading into the final quarter, PCM trailed by just three points, but clutch free throw shooting from the Norsemen combined with cold outside shooting from the Mustangs kept the game in the Norsemens’ grasp.

PCM shot 18-of-52 on the night, but the Mustangs were just 1-of-19 from 3-point land. Bruxvoort led the team in points (19) and rebounds (10).

R-S shot just below 50 percent, 17-of-36, from the field including 3-of-13 from long range. The Norsemen were 14-of-22 from the charity stripe.

PCM head to Colfax Tuesday to take on the Tigerhawks.