The Hillcrest Academy Raven boys basketball team suffered a tough loss Tuesday in Kalona, falling to visiting Louisa-Muscatine 45-44. L-M led by a slim margin most of the night, helped by Raven foul trouble, the Falcons held an 11-8 advantage after the first quarter and up 26-20 at the half. Hillcrest started to come alive in the second half, trimming the Falcon lead to four going to the fourth quarter. In the final frame, things remained tight with each team holding a lead in the game’s final 30 seconds. Grant Bender put the Ravens up 44-43 with a basket at 24 seconds to go, only to see Ty Northup for L-M hit a shot in the lane in the final 10 seconds that would prove to be the game winner. A Hillcrest free throw line jumper in the last five seconds rattled out and the Falcons secured the rebound to take the game.

John Hughes led Hillcrest with 13 points and five boards, Eli Ours got to double figures with 11. The Ravens fall to 1-2 on the season while the Falcons are now 2-1.