NIXA, Mo. -- The Mt. Vernon Mountaineers recovered quickly from Friday night's tough loss to Willard, as the Mountaineers wore down Billings over the course of the game and won 74-60 to claim third place in the Nixa Invitational.
Shane Williams scored 25 points for Mt. Vernon in the win as Billings fell to a tough opponent for the second straight day after losing last night to Nixa. Mount Vernon began the game on a nice run and kept going right at the Billings defense, and this allowed the Mountaineers to claim a 25-16 lead after the first quarter of play. Chandler Meyers and Kaden Jones contributed on the offensive side of the ball for Mt. Vernon, and they were able to keep Billings from gaining any momentum as the Mountaineers used a 22-9 run in the second quarter to lead 47-25 at the half.
The third quarter saw Billings slow the Mountaineers' momentum somewhat, as Kaleb Harter and Brady Chastain made some nice three pointers to stem the Mt. Vernon onslaught. Yet, Mt. Vernon still led 64-42 at the end of the third quarter and appeared headed for the win.
Billings was able to outscore Mt. Vernon 18-10 in the fourth quarter, but the Mountaineer lead was too large and Mt. Vernon went on to claim the 74-60 win and take third place. Shane Williams led Mt. Vernon with 25 points, Chandler Meyers added 19, and Kaden Jones scored 12 to give the Mountaineers three players in double figures.
For the Billings Wildcats, they were led by Kaleb Harter who scored 15 points, while Chad Yeokum added 13 and Brady Chastain scored 14. Billings finished the tournament with a win over Harrisonville and two tough losses to Nixa and Willard, while Mt. Vernon defeated St. Joseph Lafayette and Billings. Mt.Vernon’s only loss in the tournament was to Willard on Friday night.
