Tuesday night Mid-Prairie dropped a tough road game to an athletic West Liberty team 69-62. The Golden Hawks used an early 8-2 run to open an 8-4 lead but the Comets erased the early advantage with hot shooting from outside. Brett Becker was a sniper for the Comets firing a perfect five for five from three point range and scoring 20 in the first half. Nick Stimson hit his first five from the field as well but Mid-Prairie still trailed 39-32 at the break.
In the second half West Liberty kept the Golden Hawks at bay by answering every run with a basket of their own. The Comets never let Mid-Prairie get closer than two points in the third quarter but the Golden Hawks would not let the West Liberty lead get above seven. Midway through the fourth quarter the Golden Hawks made their move, Dayton Hall hit back to back jump shots to pull Mid-Prairie within one at 61-60. Following a Comet turnover a Nolan Faselt basket gave the Hawks their first lead since the first half at 62-61. The advantage was short lived however as the Comets closed the game on an 8-0 to take back the lead and the win.
Mid-Prairie was led by Nick Stimson’s 19 points, Dayton Hall added 14 and Christian Johnson had 10. With the loss Mid-Prairie is now 6-6 overall and 6-4 in the River Valley Conference.