PCM boys push No. 5 Thunder deep into fourth quarter in season-ending loss

DES MOINES — The PCM boys basketball team lost to Grand View Christian by an average of 30.5 points in the four most recent meetings against the Thunder.

But on Thursday, in a Class 2A District 10 semifinal matchup, the game was tied after one quarter and the Mustangs trailed by one with only three minutes left in the contest.

It was a positive performance for PCM, but the 2A No. 5 Thunder pulled away late with a 73-61 home victory.

“Our guys gave it one hell of a run tonight,” PCM head boys basketball coach Tony Ford said.

The Mustangs were outscored 14-13 in the second and 16-15 in the third before the Thunder (21-1) used a 27-13 advantage in the fourth to win by double digits.

It was the closest margin of defeat in the five games since 2018.

The 3-point shot helped the Mustangs stay close. They were 10-of-25 from long range with Gavin Van Gorp going 4-of-5 and Cutler VandeLune finishing 3-of-7.

Van Gorp led the Mustangs (12-12) with 16 points, while VandeLune added 14 points and two assists.

Alex Wendt posted 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Chase Wagaman tallied 11 points, six boards, two assists and three steals.

Kaleb DeVries registered three points and six assists, Gavin Steenhoek chipped in three points and two assists and Jake Winters grabbed two boards.

The Mustangs shot 43.4 percent from the floor, connected on all five of their free throws and turned the ball over only eight times.