CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Trailing after the first quarter, Carl Junction rallied to take the lead by halftime and held onto it in the second half for a 65-60 win over McDonald County on Tuesday.
The win moves Carl Junction above .500 with a 5-4 record, while McDonald County falls below .500 at 3-4.
The Mustangs jumped in front by three after the opening stanza before the Bulldogs rallied behind an eight-point second quarter from Jett Hocut to outscored McDonald County 16-9 to take a 27-23 lead into the intermission.
Carl Junction added on to the lead in the third quarter, with Cooper Vediz leading the way with 10 points for the Bulldogs.
Brody Pant had a pair of 3-pointers in the period, while Jett Mills and Wyatt McAfee each had two field goals as well.
McDonald County put on its rally caps in the fourth quarter, starting the period down eight. The Mustangs got eight points from Destyn Dowd, including a 3-pointer, and four points from Cael Carlin but it wouldn’t be enough to overcome the Bulldogs’ cushion.
Vediz had a game-high 19 points in the win, 12 coming in the second half. McAfee closed with 13 points, while Hocut had 12 and Deacon Endicott with 10 points to give Carl Junction four players in double-figure scoring.
McDonald County also had four players score in double figures, with Toby Moore’s 17 points leading the way. Moore scored 11 of his points in the first half, six in the first quarter to help propel the Mustangs in front early.
Dowd was right behind with 16 points, while Josh Pacheco had 12 points and Carlin 10.
Carl Junction takes part in the Kaminsky Classic, opening on Jan. 4 with a matchup against Francis Howell.
McDonald County hosts Willard on Thursday before taking part in the Neosho Holiday Classic from Dec. 27-29.
