The North Mahaska Warhawks had league-leading HLV right where they wanted them at halftime Wednesday night in New Sharon. The Warhawks had used a tough first half defense to build a 28-21 lead and visions of an upset were dancing in their heads.

The old adage states that a good team always finds a way to win proved true again as the Warriors rallied behind their defense to pull out a 46-38 win. Baskets by Dylan Boyle and Jake McCulley early in the third period put North Mahaska in front 32-22 and then the Warhawks could not buy a basket. A nine minute scoring drought hit the Warhawks and HLV took advantage.

Three consecutive three point baskets by Brenden Kuesel pulled the Warriors to within one at 32-31 and a rebound put back by Scott Blomme gained the lead for HLV. A 16-4 margin in the third quarter gave HLV a 37-32 lead going into the final quarter.

HLV steadily pulled away as North Mahaska could only score six points in the final eight minutes on baskets by Jared Phillips, Boyle and McCulley. Boyle’s basket cut the lead to 39-36 with 3:17 left, but the Warhawks missed three straight front ends of one and one free throws.

“HLV’s pressure was the difference,” North Mahaska coach Corey Oswald said. “That pressure took us out in the second half and kept us from scoring. Our defense played well. We felt that we held them to enough points for us to be successful. Missed free throws were a big factor. We had a chance, but couldn’t convert free throws.”

A three-point basket by Phillips gave North Mahaska a 7-2 lead early and then a pair of inside buckets by Boyle and a rebound put back by Tyler Smith allowed the Warhawks to take a 13-7 lead after the first eight minutes.

The Warriors closed the gap to 21-20 on a break away by Jake Burns, but the Warhawks answered with a fast break bucket by Chaz McBirnie, an inside basket by Phillips and a three by Boyle for a 28-21 halftime lead. Momentum appeared to be with the Warhawks, but “Old Mo” is a fickle character and he didn’t hang around.

Boyle led the Warhawks with 15 points and Phillips added nine. Smith led the team in rebounds with eight, steals with three and assists with four. Kuesel led the Warriors with 15 points and Blomme added 13.

The Warhawks are now 3-3 and will travel to Iowa Valley Friday and to English Valleys Saturday afternoon.

HLV 46, North Mahaska 38

HLV 7 14 16 9 — 46

NM 13 15 4 6 — 38

NORTH MAHASKA (38) — Dylan Boyle 15, Jared Phillips 9, Jake McCulley 6, Tyler Smith 4, Kody Lake 2, Chaz McBirnie 2.

3-point goals — Phillips 1, Boyle 1. Rebounds — Smith 8, Boyle 5, Phillips 4, McCulley 3. Steals — Smith 3, Lake 2. Assits — Smith 4, Boyle 2.