Meridian outlasts Carrier Mills

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Playing without a pair of their most intense competitors in starting point guard Jordan Miller and key reserve JR Brown, the Carrier Mills Wildcats hung tough with their counterparts, one-loss Meridian, but ultimately fell short, 52-41, in the finale of the GEC/SEC Shootout at Southeastern Illinois College.

Carrier Mills led throughout the first half, but struggled offensively and scored just four points in the fourth quarter.

Meridian put up 13, and took an eight point lead into the fourth. Carrier Mills was able to slice it to four, but clutch free throw shooting by Meridian let them hang on.

Wyatt Kirkland led Carrier Mills with 10 points, and was the only player on his team in double figures. Dillan Harrison had nine, and Rae Ward and Chase Craig each had eight.

Carrier Mills hosts Crab Orchard on Tuesday.

CM 14 12 4 11 - 41

MER 12 13 13 14 - 52

CM: Kirkland 4 1-3 10, Craig 3 0-0 8, Ward 4 0-0 8, Jackson 2 0-0 4, Harrison 3 0-0 9, Morgan 0 2-2 2. Totals: 16 3-5 41.

Three-point field goals: Harrison 3, Craig 2, Kirkland 1.