Out with a knee injury, Gardner, who reached the 1,000 –point career mark earlier this year, was unavailable Friday in McLouth.

The Bulldogs responded to the setback with a 60-47 victory against St. Mary’s Academy.

Senior Pat Bartlett led all scorers with 17, while Jimmy Steffey scored 16. Casey Hochard also contributed with 14 in the home victory against St. Marys Academy.

McLouth outscored St. Mary’s Academy in every quarter and improved its record to 5-7.

MHS and SMA both had three three-point shots. McLouth went 7-for-13 from the line; St. Mary’s Academy was 8-for-11.

As for Gardner, his status is day-to-day.

The Bulldogs played Wathena on Tuesday in McLouth and will play host to Pleasant Ridge on Friday.

MHS girls 48, JCN 44

The Bulldogs claimed another victory from JCN on Friday in the Chargers’ tournament.

Leigh Anna Thompson scored 13 and Taylor Renfro scored 11 for the Bulldogs as they held off a furious JCN rally in the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs held a 39-13 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but Jefferson County North outscored the Bulldogs 23-9 in the final quarter. McLouth held on for a 48-44 win.

BOX SCORES

McLouth (B) 16 14 13 17 — 60

St. Marys 10 13 9 15 — 47

McLouth — Bartlett 17, Steffey 16, Hochard 14, Stewart 6, Mills 3, Annis 2, Burnett 2.

St. Marys Academy — Engholm 11, Campbell 10, O’Nell 10, Palmer 8, Stenek 7, Pederson 1.

McLouth 12 17 10 9 — 48

JCN 6 7 8 23 — 44

McLouth (3-9) — L. Thompson 13, Renfro 11, Mills 8, Meyer 5, S. Thompson 4, Prochaska 4, Alloway 3.

JCN (1-12) — McFarland 13, A. Noll 11, Seichepine 6, Krakner 5, C. Noll 4, Schuler 2, Perry 3.