Sports Roundup – February 17

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INDIANAPOLIS — Something had to give on Saturday night, and unfortunately for the Mt. Vernon Marauders, it was their winning streak.

In search of their ninth straight win, the Class 4A Marauders fell behind early but rallied late before losing to 4A No. 7 Lawrence Central, 74-64, on the road.

Before their matchup with the Bears (16-5), the Marauders (16-3) had won eight consecutive games.

The host Bears built a 16-11 lead after the first quarter and increased their margin to 15 points by halftime en route to their second consecutive victory.

Mt. Vernon battled back in the second half, however, cutting the deficit to six points after trailing by as many as 20 behind a team-high 27 points from junior point guard Michael Ertel.

The Bears countered with a team-high 25 points from senior guard Kyle Guy, a McDonald’s All-American and Virginia recruit. Mekhi Biffle added 23 points to help fend off the Marauders.

Mt. Vernon returns to the court on Friday night when they host 3A New Palestine (5-14) at 7:30 p.m.

Connersville slips past New Pal

After a dramatic two-point win over Hoosier Heritage Conference foe Shelbyville at home on Friday, New Palestine came up short Saturday against Connersville, 34-33.

A Garrett Silcott free throw for the Spartans was enough to send the visitors home with a win.

Senior Caleb VanderWal just missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the Dragons, who fall to 5-14 this season. Six of the losses, however, have been by five points or less.

Cody Long led the Dragons with 11 points while VanderWal added six.

Royals lose a tough one

Eastern Hancock gave Mid-Hoosier Conference opponent Indian Creek all it could handle Saturday night in a 68-66 loss.

Despite falling behind 21-8 after the first quarter, the Royals erupted in the second, scoring 32 points to the Brave’s 12 and took a 40-33 lead into halftime.

However, a 16-8 fourth quarter for Indian Creek (15-5, 7-1 MHC) was enough to steal the win on the road.

Eastern Hancock, which was led in scoring by A.J. Muegge with 21 points, falls to 5-14 and 0-7 in MHC play this season. Addison True added 17 for the Royals, who saw four players reach double figures.

Duncan Cherry and Tom Barton finished with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Muegge was 10 of 12 from the line as Eastern Hancock shot 26 free throws in the narrow loss.

The Royals host Edinburgh (3-16, 1-5 MHC) at 7:30 p.m. today.