NIXA, Mo. -- Mt. Vernon capped off a great night of basketball at the 2012 Nixa Invitational with a methodical offensive attack which proved too much for St. Joe Lafayette, as the Mountaineers won by the score of 56-40.
The game began at a slower pace than the three games which preceded the Mt. Vernon-Lafayette matchup, as Mt. Vernon took an early 13-9 lead after one quarter of play. The second quarter saw a similar result, as Shane Williams and Zane Phillips kept the Mountaineers ahead 31-24 at the half.
The Mountaineers outscored Lafayette 18-15 in the second quarter to gain the seven point halftime advantage, as Coach Skip Brock’s team used a workmanlike offensive attack combined with solid defensive play to gain the upper hand in the game.
Mt. Vernon maintained its somewhat comfortable lead throughout the third quarter due to the strong play 6'3 junior forward Zane Phillips, who hit several big shots including a deep three pointer to extend Mt. Vernon's lead.
The Mountaineers outscored St. Joe Lafayette 12-8 in the third quarter to take a nice 43-32 lead into the last eight minutes of the game. Mt. Vernon never relented its lead, and secured the victory over Lafayette 56-40. Zane Phillips led Mt. Vernon with 14 points, and Shane Williams added 13. Kaden Jones also was in double figures for Mt. Vernon with 12 points on the night.
For St. Joe Lafayette, only one player scored in double figures, as Caleb Bates scored 13 points. D'Treal Stone and John Lucas both scored six points for the Fighting Irish from St. Joseph.
Mt. Vernon will play Willard Friday at 9 p.m., while St. Joe Lafayette will face Hogan Prep at 4:30 p.m. in the consolation bracket.
