In a doubleheader at Hillcrest Union on Tuesday night Iowa Mennonite School got the best of Lone Tree defeating them in both contests.

In the girls’ game it was a back and forth affair with IMS (1-1) claiming the exciting 45-43 victory. In the first half Lone Tree (1-3) had the upper hand leading by as much as seven points, thanks in part by a pair of threes by Ashley Musser. The Lions grabbed a 21-16 lead heading into the break. In the second half IMS picked it up in transition to take the lead late in the third. In the fourth quarter IMS relied on the hot hand of Yani Gutierrez who nailed back-to-back-to-back three pointers headlined by a four point play with two minutes left. The lead grew to as much as 10 before Lone Tree stormed back but it was not enough as IMS picked up their first win in two years.

Gutierrez finished the night with five triples and led the team with 16 points. Suzanna Yoder was also in double figures with 13. Riley Warson led the Lions with 16 points and Musser had 12.

In the boys’ game it was all IMS (1-0) from start to finish, as they capped off a convincing 74-33 win. Iowa Mennonite came out red hot in the first half, as they raced out to a 22-2 lead in part by a pair of threes from Cole Ours and Caleb Gingerich. IMS was able to speed up the inexperienced Lions (0-2) to create turnovers and feed off of transition to take a 39-16 lead into the break. IMS did not led off the gas pedal, as they broke things open in the third to cruise to the 74-33 win.

Ours finished the night with 14 points, as Mitchell Schmieder was effective down low with 11. Leading the Lions was Brock Smith with eight points.

Iowa Mennonite boys’ and girls’ will next be in action Saturday hosting Wapello and Lone Tree will host Louisa-Muscatine.