Lobo Coliseum has never been a friendly venue for the Tigers, but they found a way to win against Longview to take their first district win. Neither team led by more than 4 pts the entire game as Mount Pleasant went back and forth unable to gain any momentum.
The first quarter ended with both teams at 14 points on the scoreboard. The Tigers went down 14-18 to start the second quarter before going on a 5-0 run to reclaim the lead. Longview regained the lead but the Tigers were able to answer to take a 28-26 lead at the half. The Lobos gained a little momentum in the third to outscore the Tigers 15-11 and take a 41-39 lead into the final stanza. The Tigers looked like they might pull away putting together a 6-0 run to the start the quarter and match the largest lead of the game. But Longview would answer with an 8-0 run using the charity striple to their favor to retake the lead. Mount Pleasant would make some crucial free throws down the stretch to take the lead in the closing seconds and a last second heave by the Lobos was off the mark.
Payton Chism led the Tigers with 19 points and 5 steals. Will Hills would join him in double figures with 12 points and 4 rebounds. Elijah Morris added 8 points and Edward Wilder chipped in 6 points and 5 rebounds. Other scorers were Kelcey Morris 4 points, Kai Price 3 points, and Ervin Mickens 2 points.
The Tigers will play in the Franklin Christmas Invitational Dec 27-29 and will return to district play on Jan 7 at home versus Texas High.