Lone Tree hosted Iowa Mennonite School in the first round of boys district action on Thursday at Lone Tree High School.

The Lions defeated IMS 50-43, giving them a sweep of all three meetings this season. Lone Tree started the game a 6-0 run and had a slim 13-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. On the strength of 11 first half points from Eli Gingerich IMS took their first and only lead briefly at the midway point of the second period at 16-14. The Lions responded to the challenge, battling back to take a 24-21 lead into the half.

In the second half Jovonte Squires took over. The Southeast Iowa Superconference Player of the Year candidate scored 13 of his teams 15 third quarter points, including the first eight in a row as the Lions opened up their largest lead of the night at 43-29 early in the fourth quarter. IMS would make one more push to get things within six points in the final two minutes but were just one or two plays short of completing the comeback.

On the night Lone Tree was led by Jovonte Squires, who finished with a game high 26 points, 17 of those in the second half.

Niko Gosnell also got to double figures for Lone Tree with 10 points. Iowa Mennonite was led by Eli Gingerich with 16 points in his final game in an IMS uniform.

With the loss, IMS ends their season at 12-11. With the win Lone Tree is now 17-5 overall. The Lions advance to the second round of regional play Tuesday night when they host New London, who was a winner of Highland in last night’s first round.