The Mount Pleasant Tigers needed every second of the game to vacate Hallsville with a win on Friday setting a new all-time win streak record at 28 straight games. After a quadruple overtime buzzer beating loss at Hallsville last season, more theatrics were on display late in the game this year as well, as the Bobcats hot shooting kept the game close throughout. The Tigers were able to knock down some key free throws late and had just enough in the tank to secure the victory.

The Tigers looked like they were going to run away with this one early, opening the game on an 8-0 run that included a three-point bucket by Kelcey Morris, a tough basket inside by Reggie Webster and another three-point make from Carter Chism. A turnover by the Tigers would lead to an easy basket for Hallsville to get them on the board at 8-2. A Payton Chism free throw would make it 9-2 before the Bobcats knocked down their first of 8 three-point makes on the night to cut the lead to 9-5. The rest of the quarter would be back and forth as Mount Pleasant led 13-9 after one.

Hallsville would open the second frame on a 5-0 run to take their first lead of the game at 14-13 before the Tigers would counter with a 6-0 run to go up 19-14. Both teams would battle it out the rest of the half with Mount Pleasant holding a slim 24-23 lead heading into the locker room. Both teams would duke it out in the third before the Tigers would use a late flourish to push their lead to 37-31 and looked to have the momentum going into the last quarter. Hallsville would not go away however matching the Tigers basket for basket until things go interesting in the waning seconds. Hallsville scored a putback basket with 10 seconds remaining to cut their deficit to 45-44. The Tigers countered with a strong push down the floor as the Bobcats tried to foul. An errant pass by the Tigers went out of bounds and Hallsville would have one last shot with 4.5 seconds remaining. With Hallsville out of timeouts, the Bobcat head coach ran onto the floor to scheme with his team but unfortunately found himself on the opposite end from his bench and was issued a technical foul to give Mount Pleasant free throws and the ball back. The Tigers would knock down one of two to make the score 46-44. Mount Pleasant would be fouled again on the inbound but would miss the front end of a one and one but Hallsville’s half court heave at the buzzer would sail wide to give the Tigers the win.

Mount Pleasant was led by Kelcey Morris’ 19 points (7-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-6 FT) along with 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 3 steals. Payton Chism also scored in double figures with 15 points (5-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-7 FT) adding 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Carter Chism chipped in 5 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals and Reggie Webster knocked down 4 points and a team-high 4 steals. Kai Price had 3 points and 4 rebounds.

With their 28th straight win, the Tigers bested the previous mark of 27 straight set by the 2020-2021 team that finished 27-1 before being eliminated in the regional semifinals.

The 5 Tigers (28-0, 9-0) will enjoy two home games this week as Texas High (3-14, 1-8) comes to town on Tuesday and Pine Tree (10-14, 2-7) will visit on Friday. Game times for both nights will be the same as Freshmen begin at 5:00 PM, JV at 6:15 PM, and Varsity at 7:30 PM.