The Mauston Golden Eagles boys’ basketball team returned home Tuesday night to host the Nekoosa Papermakers in South Central Conference play to wrap-up the first-half of the conference schedule. It was a battle for sole possession of second place in the conference standings with both teams entering with 7-4 overall records and 3-1 conference records. Mauston took control of the game mid-way through the first quarter and never trailed after that as they led 12-6 at the end of the first quarter, and 26-18 at the half. Mauston stretched their lead to double digits in the third quarter to take a 39-28 after the third, and finished with a 61-42 final score.

Nekoosa was led by senior Derek Baker who finished with 11-points on the night. Junior Nate Brost and sophomore Owen Linzmeier contributed 9-points a piece, while junior Mason Elsen had 6-points off the bench, and junior Aaaron Brost added 5-points from the bench, and senior Matt Savage finished with 2-points. The Papermakers only attempted five free-throws in the game making four of five.

Mauston was led by junior Joel Heesch who went over the 300-point mark on the season finishing with 26-points to lead all scorers. Junior Hunter Nelson had a solid first-half scoring all 10 of his points in the first two quarters. Seniors Jack Orton and Taylor Ingraham contributed 8-points a piece, junior Ross Thompson had 5-points, and senior Dale Osthoff and junior Skylar Reicks added 2-points a piece off the bench. The Golden Eagles shot 71% from thr line making 10 of 14.

Mauston improves to 8-4 overall and 4-1 in the SCC, and sit one game back of Wisconsin Dells in the conference standings. The Chiefs remained undefeated in conference play at 5-0 with their win over Adams-Friendship Tuesday night. Nekoosa falls to 7-5 overall and now 3-2 in the conference. The Golden Eagles will be on the road Thursday night at Reedsburg to take on the Beavers in non-conference action.