Tim Shields scored a career-high 25 points to lead the McDonald County Mustangs to their fourth consecutive win, and fifth out of their last six games, with a 60-45 win over the East Newton Patriots on Feb. 2 at East Newton High School.

The 6-6 senior dominated from the block in the second half, scoring 17 points after intermission, including nine of 10 free throws.

"I thought we posted well tonight, especially Tim Shields, and we did a good job of getting the ball to him," said coach Kyle Fields. "They are quick and their five guards gave us some trouble, but we were able to get the ball inside when we really had to have a basket."

Shields scored six points in the first quarter to help the Mustangs take an 11-8 lead at the end of the period. East Newton led 5-2 and 8-6 before Boston Dowd hit a three-pointer and Shields scored from the block to end the period.

"We came out a little flat," said Fields. "We kind of tested the waters early, but we got a lot of contributions from our 'bigs' tonight (Shields and Cooper Reece). I thought our guard play was pretty good for the most part. We hit some big shots from the perimeter when we needed them, but we owned the paint tonight."

The teams traded baskets during the second period before consecutive buckets by Blake Gravette and Shields gave McDonald County a 21-13 lead late in the quarter. But East Newton responded with six consecutive points to cut the margin to 21-19 before Cole DelosSantos scored late to give McDonald County a 23-19 lead at halftime.

McDonald County opened the third quarter with eight consecutive points, four from Shields, to stretch its lead to 12 points. East Newton answered with six straight to cut the margin to 31-25, but Shields hit six free throws and Dowd hit a pair of short jumpers to help the Mustangs stretch the lead to 41-30 entering the four quarter.

East Newton could get no closer than seven points in the fourth quarter. Gravette hit two three-pointers in the final four minutes, while Shields and Reece combined for 12 points in the fourth quarter to help seal the Mustangs' win.

Reece and Dowd finished with 11 points each in support of Shields' 25. Rounding out the scoring for the Mustangs were Gravette with eight points, Peyton Barton three and DelosSantos two.

Freshman 6-4 Connor Killion led East Newton with 11 points, including nine points on three-pointers.

McDonald County improves to 9-12 for the season, including a 3-1 record in the Big 8 Conference, heading into its Feb. 6 game at Lamar. The Mustangs host Providence on Feb. 9 for homecoming.

McDonald County added a 51-46 win in the junior varsity game.

The teams were tied 9-9 at the end of the first quarter before the Patriots took a 20-16 lead at halftime. McDonald County outscored the Patriots 19-6 in the third quarter to take a 35-26 lead into the fourth quarter.

Tae-Shawn Alik scored 16 points to lead McDonald County, followed by Cade Smith with nine points, Koby McAlister seven, Ben Mora six, Kirby Townsend five and Walker Keith and Colliar Gottfried four each.

Cassville

McDonald County closed out the first quarter with a 9-2 run to take a 16-9 lead over the Cassville Wildcats and then scored the first nine points of the second period on the way to a 53-37 win on Jan. 30 at Cassville High School.

"We played pretty well," Fields said. "I thought our defense was really good. Our transition defense was good and we are starting to get down and guard people. We hit some shots early and that always helps."

The Mustangs led 29-17 at the end of the first half and stretched the margin to 42-25 entering the fourth quarter.

Gravette scored 13, while Shields added 12 and Reece 10, to lead McDonald County. Rounding out the scoring for McDonald County were Barton with nine points, Dowd four, DelosSantos three and Smith two.

Cassville's D.J. White led all scorers with 21 points.

The McDonald County junior varsity claimed a 41-34 decision behind Alik's 14 points and 12 from McAlister. McDonald County led 25-15 at halftime and 34-24 entering the fourth quarter.

Gottfried added seven points, followed by Smith with four and two from Cale Adamson and Saul Garcia.

The McDonald County freshman dropped a 26-24 decision. Cassville led 7-3 at the end of the first quarter and 14-10 at halftime before McDonald County rallied to take a 17-16 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Irael Marcos, Logan Renner and Jackson Clarkson each scored six points for McDonald County while Parker Harris had four and Tryace McCool had two.