The Iowa Mennonite School boys and girls basketball teams traveled to Pekin Tuesday night and split a doubleheader with the Panthers.

The IMS girls, though shorthanded, without guard Rachel Miller, gave Pekin all they wanted, falling 47-43. The Panthers jumped out early with an 8-0 run to start the game. IMS climbed within four points twice in the second quarter and got as close as two but Pekin held a 27-21 lead at the halftime break. In the second half Pekin gained control with an 8-0 run again in the third and would lead by as many as 14 in the frame. Iowa Mennonite continued to battle back, chipping away at the margin and cutting it to two points with a minute to play. With a chance to tie or take their first lead, IMS turned the ball over and Pekin put the game away. Maci Gambell led the way for the Panthers with 21 points. Iowa Mennonite was led by 24 points from Suzanna Yoder and a career high 17 points from Alyssa Hershberger. With the loss, IMS is now 0-8 on the year.

In the nightcap, the Iowa Mennonite boys held off the Panthers for a 68-61 win. The two team seesawed back and forth in the first quarter with four ties and four lead changes with Pekin leading 13-11 after one. Iowa Mennonite put together a mini 7-0 run midway through the second quarter to take a 22-17 lead and would hold a 26-22 advantage going to the break. Things stayed tight in the second half with Pekin taking a lead early in the third quarter. IMS answered, and was up five with just three minutes to play. Down the stretch IMS got big baskets from Cole Ours, a three pointer from Caleb Gingerich and clutch free throws from Nick Yutzy who was seven of eight down the stretch.

IMS was led by 19 points from Nick Yutzy, Cole Ours had 13 and Reggie Borntrager added 11. With the victory, IMS has now won four straight and run their overall record to 6-3.