EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The first win of the season continues to elude the Tigers in varsity boys basketball.

Victory No. 1 eluded Excelsior Springs three times last week, as the Tigers fell Jan. 19 at Pleasant Hill, Jan. 20 at Cameron and Jan. 22 to visiting Oak Grove.

In their 58-41 loss to Pleasant Hill, the Tigers played a back-and-forth first quarter with the Roosters. The Roosters led 11-10 lead at quarter’s end.

A three-point basket by senior Tanner Phillips put the Tigers up 13-10 early in the second quarter, but that lead vanished a minute later. Taking advantage of turnovers by Excelsior Springs, Pleasant Hill staged an 11-3 run and went on to lead 25-18 at halftime.

Pleasant Hill jumped on more Excelsior Springs mistakes and put the game out of reach with a 10-0 run to start the second half. The Roosters outscored the Tigers 15-8 for the third quarter to lead 40-26 entering the fourth quarter.

Pleasant Hill edged Excelsior Springs 18-15 the final quarter.

Senior Gannon Willis led the …