PCM got out to a 14-3 lead over Knoxville and controlled things from there as the Mustangs defeated Knoxville 70-52 in a boys basketball game on Tuesday heard live on 95.3 KNIA. Knoxville was handcuffed all night with poor shooting and struggling defensively to stop the Mustangs inside/outside game. The Mustangs forced the Panthers into 23 turnovers. Mustangs Coach Fred Lorensen told KNIA/KRLS Sports he thought the effort defensively was key to the win.

Lorensen: “Real key for us we played hard defensively. They turned the ball over and that was likely to do a lot to us. Knoxville’s is going to have a really good year, and this will look like a good win before it’s all over.”

Knoxville Coach Troy Pearson told KNIA/KRLS Sports when the shots did not fall right away, the defense started to break down.

Pearson: “Early in the game we got a lot of good three point looks and that’s who we are. I thought the defense was better, we didn’t let the offense affect our defense as much. That first half we were a step slow.”

Jacob Wendt scored 25 points to lead a balanced effort for PCM. Gavin Van Gorp contributed 16 points and Auggie Stock, playing his first basketball game in nearly two years scored 12. Knoxville was paced by Landen Norris with 16 points and Kaiden Smith with 11. PCM will host Nevada on Friday to start Heart of Iowa Conference play while Knoxville will play in its home opener with the girls against South Central Conference newcomer Cardinal.