Slow Start Keeps Savages from Upset

Published by admin on Wed, 01/15/2025 - 11:50am

Isaac Bruns makes a drive against North Mahaska’s Gabe Hora in the first half. Bruns scored 24 points, three steals and two assists in a 67-60 loss Tuesday. Photo by RD Keep | MAP Photo

By:

R.D. Keep

Correspondent

NEW SHARON – Sigourney had a slow start Tuesday and could not overcome the deficit and fell to North Mahaska 67-60 in New Sharon. North Mahaska jumped out to a 20-7 lead after the first quarter then the Savages out scored their hosts 53-47.

“That first quarter was the difference,” said Sigourney coach Mitch Eslick. “We got off to a slow start and that hurt us tonight. Our kids are competitive and don’t give up.”

North Mahaska outrebounded Sigourney 37-25 and had 14 offensive boards to three for the Savages.

“The offensive rebounds hurt us,” said Eslick. “Those second chance points are something we are not getting.”

Sigourney (4-4, 3-4) has had to face three of the leading South Iowa Cedar League teams in the past three games. They have lost those three by a total of 12 points.

We are continuing to battle with the top teams,” said Eslick. “We are competitive we just have to get over the top.”

Senior Isaac Bruns had 24 points to lead all scorers and junior Solon Yates added 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Juniors John Berg and Brayden Wood each chipped in nine points. Sophomore Ike Molyneux doled out eight assists.

North Mahaska (9-1, 7-0) had three scorers in double figures. Gabe Hora led with 19 while Asher DeBoef and Adrian Smith added 16.

Sigourney hosted Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont on Monday and Colfax-Mingo on Tuesday.