Staff report

CHINA GROVE — Carson’s high-scoring trio to AJ Mauldin, EJ Clark and Javon Smith teamed for 63 points on Saturday in a 75-55 win against Mount Pleasant.

Equally important for the Cougars (3-3), said coach Brian Perry, was the work that Chris Allen and Jake Harris did on the glass.

“We’ve played a lot better the last two games,” Perry said. “We’ve been sharing the ball better and taking better shots, and that means making more shots.”

Mauldin was hot in the first half and had 20 of his  23 points before the break. He made six 3-pointers.

Clark made four 3-pointers on his way to 21 points, while Smith came through with a season-best 19.

Clark has topped 20 points in five of Carson’s six games.

Carson opened up a lead with a big second quarter.

Hunter Sloop made five 3-pointers and scored 31 for Mount Pleasant.

MOUNT PLEASANT (55) —  Sloop 31, Duke 14, Price 8, Pruitt 2, Williams, Newsome, Carnes, Little, Widenhouse.

CARSON (75) — Mauldin 23, Clark 21, J. Smith 19, Zuniga 6, Harris 4, Allen 2, Burris, K. Smith, Blackwelder, Taylor.

Mt. Pleasant  18    13   11   13    — 55

Carson             20   27    11  17    —  75