Cloud plays hero in win over Lady Mustangs

Mt. Vernon emerged victorious in both matchups last week over McDonald County and East Newton as they improved to 2-2 in Big 8 play.
The week began Monday night in Mt. Vernon as the Lady Mt’neers took on McDonald County. Defense was the name of the game as a pair of buckets from McDonald County and a basket from Cheyenne Bieber were the lone scores in the first quarter. The Lady Mustangs earned the halftime lead at 23-22.
Emmie Schubert came alive in the third with a pair of buckets and two free throws, and four Lady Mt’neers scored. Mt. Vernon was still unable to take the lead and even lost a point as the Lady Mustangs went into the fourth quarter leading 36-34. Mt. Vernon used a big quarter from Bieber to keep it close but Mac County found themselves up four with just a minute left. After a Lady Mustang turnover, Audrey Bittle hit her first shot of the game. A three that cut the Lady Mustangs lead down to just one with less than 10 seconds left. A foul put the Lady Mustangs on the line with a chance to guarantee no loss in regulation. They went one-for-two from the line and Mt. Vernon went to the other end of the court. Bieber looked for a shot but found a previously scoreless Isabel Cloud on the wing and she swished in a three for her first basket of the game. More importantly, it gave Mt. Vernon had a 50-49 lead. Mac County tried to get a shot off but it was off the mark and the Lady Mt’neers survived. 
Cheyenne Bieber led the way with 15 points, followed by 11 from Schubert. Aubree Rogerson, Audrey Bittle, Isabel Cloud, and Mary Fields all had three points and closing out scoring was Kenley Eidemiller and Taylor Gaddy with two.
The win set the stage for a Thursday night showdown in East Newton. The Lady Mt’neers started fast and once again was in for a dogfight against the Lady Patriots. After a back and forth four quarters, Mt. Vernon had the last laugh as they defeated East Newton 42-39.
The Lady Mt’neers improved to 8-11 for the season. They opened the week with their senior night game against Lamar before hitting the road Thursday in Cassville.