An early deficit was too much for the Bushnell- Prairie City High School boys basketball team to overcome in its 67-62 loss to Peoria Heights.
The Spartans took to the home floor for the final time this season in facing the Patriots in the Prairieland Conference crossover contest.
The visitors rolled up 24 points in the opening eight minutes in building a 24-11 lead.
Freshman Quentyn Mathews sank three 3-pointers for nine points, while sophomore Jorge Castro added seven for Peoria Heights.
B-PC cut into the deficit in the second period, outscoring the Heights 17-14.
De’Arion Ruffin-Thomas led the way with eight points, while Connor Palm and Logan Ash added four points each.
Mathews had three more treys for the Patriots in the frame, but the Spartans inched within 38-28 at halftime.
Both teams scored 12 points in third quarter, leaving Peoria Heights with a 50-40 advantage heading into the final eight minutes.
Ruffin-Thomas and Palm combined for all 12 points for B-PC, while Castro tallied eight points for the Patriots.
The Spartans recorded 22 points in the final period.
A basket by Ash brought the Spartans within 64-62 with 54 seconds remaining.
Alijah Jones would then be fouled by B-PC. But he missed both free throws, leaving it a two-point game.
A flurry of turnovers from both teams followed with Spartans gaining possession with 40 seconds left.
On B-PC’s next possession, Courtney Jamison poked the ball away from Palm as he dribbled toward the basket. Castro picked up the loose ball and scored on a layup, giving Peoria Heights a 66-62 lead with 27 seconds left.
Jamison added one free throw that set the game’s final score.
Palm topped B-PC with 22 points, while Ruffin-Thomas added 21 before fouling out.
Ash chipped in nine points, followed by Braylon Griffitts with seven. Dylan King with two and Ryan Adler with one.
Mathews led Peoria Heights (15-9) with 29 points, including seven 3-pointers.
Castro added 18 points for the Patriots, 11 in the second half.
The Spartans returned to action Saturday, making the trip south to face Griggsville- Perry.
The Tornadoes breezed their way to a 58-17 victory.
Griggsville-Perry (13-10) raced out to a 21-1 lead after the initial period and held a 32-8 halftime advantage.
The Tornadoes led 49-14 entering the final frame.
Bing Lowe and Levi Barnes topped Griggsville- Perry (13-10) with 15 and 14 points respectively.
B-PC dropped to 3-19 with the loss. The Spartans returned to action Tuesday, heading to Havana (9-12, 0-3) for a Prairieland Conference South Division contest.
