JEFFERSON — A fast start against Greene County helped PCM’s boys’ basketball team crack the win column on Dec. 11.
The Mustangs led 17-4 after one quarter and never looked back in a 63-51 win over the Rams during a Heart of Iowa Conference road contest.
It was the 600th career win for PCM head boys’ coach Fred Lorensen.
“You just think back to the group of kids you had,” Lorensen said. “My son was a part of that for four years. You think of all the players and teams you had. I have had so many super kids and super families.”
PCM also outscored Greene County 21-12 in the second quarter to go up 38-16 at the break. The Rams won the third quarter 21-9.
Junior Durant Van Dyke finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds, senior Andrew Mitchell had 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals and senior Grant Landgrebe tallied 16 points and four boards.
Senior Gatlin Boell chipped in eight points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals and senior Sage Burns added eight points, five rebounds and five assists.
Junior starter Carson VandeLune did not play in the game for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs (2-4 overall, 1-1 in the HOIC) made six 3-pointers and were 17-of-33 from the free-throw line. They out-rebounded Greene County 37-27.
Greene County (0-3, 0-2) was led by Bryce Stalder, who finished with 22 points and six rebounds. The Rams made 10 treys but had a 10-point deficit in free throw makes.
Pella Christian 74,
PCM 40
PELLA — A slow start plagued PCM in the nightcap as the Mustangs’ offense also struggled in a 74-40 road loss.
Pella Christian led 18-2 after one quarter went up 42-15 at halftime.
VandeLune had 12 points, five rebounds and four assists for PCM, while Van Dyke finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
Mitchell tallied seven points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists and sophomore August Stock chipped in six points and six rebounds.
Boell had two rebounds and two assists, Burns scored three points and Landgrebe and senior Carson Duinink each grabbed two boards.
PCM turned the ball over 31 times, shot 33 percent from the floor and made 4-of-14 from 3-point range.
Pella Christian (1-2) shot 50 percent from the floor and connected on 11 treys. Four Eagles reached double-figures and nine scored at least four points.