An area boys’ basketball matchup took place at Hillcrest Union on Tuesday night and the home Ravens enjoyed a lopsided affair against Lone Tree winning 65-31. 

From start to finish, the Ravens had a stranglehold on this one by jumping out to a 16-7 lead after one and 33-13 at the break. The only double-digit Lion quarter came in the third with 12 points, but the Ravens never took their foot off the gas offensively and ran away with the 34-point victory. Sophomore Grant Bender registered a career-high 18 points to lead a Hillcrest Academy team that had three players in double figures. John Hughes had 16 points and Eli Ours added 15. 

The Ravens improve to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in Southeast Iowa Super Conference play with a trip to Winfield-Mt. Union looming on Friday. The Lions are 0-4 overall, 0-2 in the league, and host Pekin the same day.