The Pike Liberal Arts varsity boys’ team (6-8, 1-5 AISA Class AAA, Region 1) nearly stunned the No. 9 Macon-East Knights Tuesday evening in Troy, falling 50-48.

“We need to find a way to win the big games,” PLAS head coach Mike Barbaree said. “I could not ask for more effort, but we have to find a way to win a game like that.”

Justin McLaughlin led the Pats with 14 points and seven rebounds. Ross Hixon and Douglas Hawkins added 10 points apiece and Alex Adams had eight points and 12 rebounds.

The JV boys (8-2) beat Macon-East 30-23.

Steward Pinckard led the way with 11 points and four rebounds. Nick McLaughlin had seven points and 16 rebounds. Rodney Griffin chipped in eight points and three rebounds.