The Pella Christian boys basketball team snapped a five-game losing streak on their home floor Saturday, beating fellow Class 2A school Van Meter 72-61.

The Eagles fell behind 9-0 early, but ended the 1st period with a four point lead. Pella Christian came out firing in a 21 point third quarter that ultimately gave them a double-digit lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

After a series of tough losses against larger schools, Head Coach Larry Hessing tells KNIA/KRLS Sports he was happy with how the guys played against a solid squad, but adds there is still improvement they can make before the playoffs start in one week.

“It’s a good 2A team, it’s a good win — we needed a win, but we weren’t really totally satisfied, especially on the defensive end so we’re still a work in progress even though there’s not much time before the tournaments start,” Hessing says.

Levi Jungling carried the Eagles offense with 30 points, and Mitch Fopma tacked on 11. Pella Christian shot 11 of 24 from the beyond-the-arc, with five different players hitting deep shots.

The now 9-9 Eagles enter a tough final three-game stretch of the regular season, first with a road trip to Grinnell on Tuesday, which can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS.