Mooresville traveled to Columbus East on Friday night to take on the Olympians and came away with a hard-fought road victory after a strong second-half response. The opening quarter set the tone for the night, as both teams traded baskets and momentum. Neither side was able to build more than a two-possession advantage, and the game was tied 13–13 at the end of the first quarter. The back-and-forth play continued into the second, but Columbus East closed the half with a buzzer-beating and-one to take a seven-point lead into the break. The second half began with challenges for the Pioneers, as the Olympians pushed their lead into double digits early in the third quarter. After a quick Mooresville timeout, the Pioneers regrouped and responded with resilient defense and improved ball movement on the offensive end. That surge allowed Mooresville to chip away at the deficit and win the third quarter by five, cutting the Olympian lead to just two heading into the final period. Mooresville carried that momentum into the fourth quarter, continuing to execute on both ends of the floor. Key defensive stops led to long, composed offensive possessions, including two timely three-pointers that gave the Pioneers a two-possession lead with under two minutes remaining. Suffocating defense and clutch free throw shooting in the final moments sealed the comeback, as Mooresville closed out a six-point victory on the road. The win showcased the Pioneers’ poise, toughness, and ability to respond under pressure against a tough Columbus East team.