Offense was hard to come by Friday night for the PCM basketball teams in their Heart of Iowa Conference doubleheader at Nevada, as the girls fell 44-40 and boys were defeated 60-33, with both games heard live on KNIAKRLS.com.

Despite connecting on just 19% of their shots in the first half, the Mustangs’ girls squad hung tight with the Cubs. PCM was down 18-8 after the opening quarter and cut that 10-point deficit to nine at halftime, as they went into the break trailing 26-17. Out of the intermission, the Mustangs’ defense held Nevada scoreless for the opening five minutes of the half but still were behind by eight entering the fourth quarter. PCM fought back to tie the game at 31-31 midway through the final period, but the offense struggles persisted as the Mustangs fell to 3-5 in league play and 5-9 overall. Tori Lindsay was PCM’s top scorer with 12 points, while Addison Steenhoek added nine.

The offensive woes carried over into the nightcap of the doubleheader, as Nevada limited the PCM boys to just one of nine shooting in the first quarter to build a 15-2 lead. The Cubs kept the pressure in the second quarter, extending their lead to 29-13 by halftime. The Mustangs found slightly more success in the second half with 20 points, but it wasn’t enough as Nevada scored 31 points after the break to drop PCM to 2-6 in the conference and 3-11 overall. Jacob Wendt paced the offense with 11 points, while Kaleb DeVries added nine.

The PCM girls will look to get back on track Monday with a home non-conference game against Newton, while the boys team is off until Tuesday when both Mustangs squads host Saydel.