The Mount Vernon boys basketball team eked out a narrow home win Tuesday, Jan. 18, but narrowly lost to Maquoketa Friday to become 7-7 overall.
Tuesday, Jan. 18
The Mustangs improved to 7-6 on a Tuesday win over the visiting Independence squad, who are themselves named the Mustangs.
Mount Vernon held a 36-29 edge at the half, but Independence went on to outscore the home team in both the third and fourth quarters, only to end up on the wrong side of a 63-61 outcome.
“Jensen Meeker was really solid all game, setting the tempo on both sides of the ball,” said Mount Vernon assistant coach Derek Roberts.
“Evan Brase did well on Independence’s big man, and did well on the boards. Joey Rhomberg and Brady Ericksen didn’t shoot it well all night, but made them when it counted most at the end,” Roberts said.
The final score of 63-61 was built on critical plays by Rhomberg (a key three-pointer deep into the fourth period) and Ericksen (the final bucket of the game, with about eight seconds of play on the clock).
Friday, Jan. 21 The Mustangs did not fare as well Friday at Maquoketa.
The Cardinals overcame an eight-point deficit in the first half by coming out in the third quarter with a 12-0 run to take the lead.
“We battled back with Joey Rhomberg shooting it well, and Brady Ericksen doing a nice job attacking the hoop,” reported Mustangs assistant coach Roberts.
“Maquoketa turned us over with under a minute to go and took a three-point lead to win the game.”
Mount Vernon boys up and down
January 24, 2022
Trent Bowman
Mount Vernon’s Evan Brase (No. 13) looks for a teammate to pass to under defense at home in play last week.
