George Iowa — The George Little Rock Mustangs defended the home floor with a pair of Siouxland Conference basketball wins over the Sheldon Orabs Tuesday night. In the girls game it took overtime for George Little Rock to prevail 60-52 while the boys game went down to the wire with the Mustangs earning a 55-49 win with some key free throws down the stretch.
In the girls game it was tied at 17-17 at the end of the first quarter with the Mustangs moving in front 32-24 at halftime. The Orabs cut the lead to seven at the end of the third quarter at 42-35. With time winding down in regulation Madison Dreesen hit a pair of free throws to put the Mustangs up 52-49. With the Orabs back on offense after the free throws it was freshman Makenna Kleinhesselink who seized the moment. coming in after Raegan Freeman fouled out with :35 seconds left in regulation she hit a left elbow three to tie the game at 52-52. Kayla Gerken was unable to hit the final shot in regulation and it was on to overtime. In the extra session Gerken keyed the offense with 7 of the Mustangs 8 overtime points. She hit a field goal and went 5-of-6 from the free throw line as George Little Rock claimed the win 60-52.
Gerken was the games leading scorer with 18 points. She was joined in double figures by Aftin Groen and Madison Dreesen who both hit for 15 points. Sheldon was led by Brooklyn Grady with 17 and Emily Meyer who hit for 10 points. With the win the Mustangs are 1-5 on the year and in the conference. With the loss the Orabs are also at 1-5 for the year and in the Siouxland.
In the boys game the Mustangs jumped out to a 17-5 first quarter lead and were up 36-25 at halftime. Sheldon battled back and took the lead at 39-36 midway through the third quarter on three from Mitchel Wolf. George Little Rock righted the ship and took a 42-39 lead at the end of the quarter. Late in the game the Orabs would tie it at 49-49 but the Mustangs were able hit some key free throws when Sheldon was forced to foul and eventually put the game away winning 55-49.
Matt Haken led all scorers with 15 points. Landon Jumbeck hit for 14. Payton Mauldin had a 10 point night. Sheldon was led by Trey Iedema with 11 points on the night followed by Brennan Radke and Marshall Kleinhesselink who both hit for 9 points in the contest.
With the Win George Little Rock is off to a 4-1 start both on the year and in the conference. Sheldon is now 0-5 for the year and in the Siouxland.
Sheldon will be at Central Lyon next Friday while the Mustangs host Okoboji.
